Matthew, Chapter 4

- מ ל ה -

Jesus Travels Across the Galilee and Is Followed by Multitudes  

17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.(Matthew 4:17-25)

Jesus settles in Capernaum and begins to travel across the different villages and cities of the Galilee. Many men and women begin to follow him and Jesus urges them to repent, as the Kingdom of Heaven “is near”. Several of the men destined to become Jesus’ disciples join him, including: Peter; his brother Andrew; James the Great; and his brother, John. Jesus heals the sick and performs many miracles. People from across the land come to see Jesus and learn from him. Jesus spreads his light through companionship and joint study. He does not fear those who persecute him on behalf of dark forces, but is rather determined to usher humanity into an era of light. Every human has the right to receive light and the obligation to spread it on.

Enthusiasm is excitement over the prospect of fulfillment through spiritual work and sharing.