A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

Matthew 4:12-16 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah. . . “ 

The Angel Gabriel told Joseph Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 that God would send His Son into the world. His Son would be Immanuel, that is, “God with us.” Jesus, born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy (5:2), grew up in Nazareth, a despised town about fifty miles north of Jerusalem.  

Luke wrote that Jesus, at the end of His forty days of temptation in the wilderness, went into Galilee. In chapter 4, Luke’s Gospel says, Jesus went about Galilee teaching in the synagogues and developed a positive reputation among the citizens. It was during this time Jesus returned to Nazareth and on the sabbath day took the scroll of Isaiah, read from it, and preached to the people.   

The people of Nazareth were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. Even though that was true, some within the Synagogue remembered Jesus was the son of the carpenter Joseph. When Jesus warned them that many would reject Him and His preaching the people turned on Him, drove Him out of town and attempted to kill Him by pushing off a cliff.   

Today, many reject Jesus because He is not the Savior they want. Praying the Third Petition (“Thy Will Be Done”) is difficult for them. They see Jesus as “the carpenter’s son” rather than the “beloved Son of God.” They want Him to serve thousands from five loaves and two fish rather than die on a cross to “take away the sins of the world.” The truth of the Holy Scriptures is Jesus came to seek and to save sinners. (Luke 19:10) 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, through the Words of the Holy Scriptures, work faith in my heart to believe and trust in Jesus the much-loved Son of Yahweh who He sent to take away my sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Jesus, priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me, Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord, for thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee;
Naught I ask beside Thee. 

In Thine arms I rest me; Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking,
Ev’ry heart be quaking, Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash And thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me, Jesus will not fail me.  

Satan, I defy thee; Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me While I sing of peace.
God’s great pow’r guards ev’ry hour;
Earth and all its depts adore Him, Silent bow before Him.  

Hence, all earthly treasure! Jesus is my pleasure,
 Jesus is my choice. Hence, all empty glory!
Naught to me thy story Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me Since He deigns to love me. 

Evil world, I leave thee; Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain, Sin that once did blind me,
Get thee far behind me, Come not forth again.
Past thy hour, O pride and pow’r;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever, Leave thee now forever. 

Hence, all fear and sadness! For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in. Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather, Still have peace within.
Yea, whate’er I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest pleasure, Jesus, priceless treasure!  (LSB 743)