Judea to Galilee--Section 33

Section 33 
JESUS MAKES A PREACHING TOUR THROUGH GALILEE. 
MATT. 4:23-25 
MARK 1:35-39 
LUKE 4:42-44 

After the healing of Peter and Andrew's mother, Jesus retreats to a solitary place for private prayer.  The time of his departure was very early, "while it was in the night" (Mark 1:35).

"Jesus taught and practiced solitary prayer. We can commune with God better when alone than when in the company of even our dearest friends. It is a mistaken notion that one can pray equally well at all times an in all places." -Fourfold Gospel

There is a contrast between these two sections of Christ's life---an intensely  private focus toward God and a highly public ministry.  Was Jesus an introvert at heart?  I find this question intriguing.  He obviously loved people but also found them draining.  We should embrace our own sides and needs too.

"Jesus moved in serenity and tranquility—opposite of what we value in our society, but what we desire innately." -Jon Courson

On focusing on God's plans for the day and not our own:

Mark 1:38 : "for therefore came I forth." The place from which Jesus came was the solitary place of prayer (verse Mar_1:35). As He talked to His Father, Jesus was given direction for the day. Thus, even when demands were placed upon Him or seemingly good opportunities opened before Him, He wasn't swayed. How often you and I get detoured and distracted by hearing, "All men seek for you." We spend time talking about a "great opportunity" and pursue it—only to find we're tired. Not so with Jesus. The will of the Father, the timing of the Father, the heart of the Father directed Him to go to the un-walled cities that day. And that's what He did. -Jon Courson

Mark mentions that Simon Peter and others "followed after him," in his solitude:

"Followed after (κατεδίωξαν) The word found only in Mark. Simon and his companions, as well as the people of the city, seem to have been afraid lest he should have permanently left them. Hence the compound verb indicates that they followed him eagerly; pursued him as if he were fleeing from them. Simon, true to his nature, was foremost in the pursuit: Simon, and they that were with him." -Vincent's Word Studies

This section pictures his first tour of Galilee where Jesus is preaching in the synagogues and healing people of all types of conditions. Few details of this first tour are filled out. The Fourfold Gospel elaborates on the geographic extent of Galilee:

"The extreme length of Galilee was about sixty-three miles, and its extreme width about thirty-three miles. Its average dimensions were about fifty by twenty-five miles. It contained, according to Josephus, two hundred and forty towns and villages. Its population at that time is estimated at about three millions. Lewin calculates that this circuit of Galilee must have occupied four or five months. The verses of this paragraph are, therefore, a summary of the work and influence of Jesus during the earlier part of his ministry. They are a general statement, the details of which are given in the subsequent chapters of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke--the Gospel of John dealing more particularly with the work in Judea." -FG

Into the next towns (eis tas echomenas kōmopoleis). It was a surprising decision for Jesus to leave the eager, excited throngs in Capernaum for the country town or village cities without walls or much importance. -Robertson's Word Pictures

 

On Christ's healing--what a wonderful difference of focus from the work of Moses:

"Thus, by his actions, Jesus showed that the kingdom of God had come. The wonders of Moses were mostly miracles of judgment, those of Jesus were acts of compassion." -FG

I love that touch is a big part of who Jesus was while on earth.  He's our earthly King who relates to the sounds, sights, smells, and touch of this world:

"And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and touched him Mark habitually notes the feelings, and hence also the gestures of Jesus. It was not an accidental, but an intentional, touch." -FG