Matthew 4:12-25 KJV
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And 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.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And 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. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And 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.
24 And 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.

Jesus walk in ministry began being baptized by John in the Jordan river, but his ministry would be near his home town of Nazareth in the homeland of Galilee at the northern part of the sea of Galilee. Jesus ministry began in the Northen kingdom of Israel and would travel into the area of the temple and surrounding areas, either because of traditional journey to the temple perhaps, that he made friends in these areas around Jerusalem. Why is it important to know these facts now, once I do not believe I have mentioned it before. Jesus ministry early years before baptism would of been Nazareth, but even so this is not where Jesus' baptism and time of temptation began Jesus ministry on a new journey preaching in the land of Capernum, as prophecized "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up". The darkness maybe not knowing their Savior had been even born. The question of is this the Christ would have come from here. Jesus would of already perhaps been preaching in the Galilean Synagogue in early years because of location of Nazareth, but he definitely was at the time of ministry. Did Jesus not follow Jewish tradition, and laws, and yet he was more a prophet then a Pharisee or Sadducee. Only a prophet could of talked the way he did to the religious leaders and got by with it as long as he did. Yet Jesus is more then a prophet, he is the only Begotten Son of God. What did Jesus do differently then the Priesthood(Sadducees and Pharisees), what about John the baptist ministry. Jesus went about healing the blind, the deaf, the lame. and people with different diseases. Jesus would travel also into Samaria and some other regions outside of Israel. Jesus being greater then John the Baptist.

With the broadness of idea of how far Jesus ministry would reach, we can then understand the crowds that would follow him, going city to city, town to town and country side to country side. Christ ministry begins with the calling of his first disciples, telling James and John he would make them fishers of men. Some believe once he called to them to follow that they left their nets and followed with no reservations to do his bidding. Perhaps it was his garment, his command of speech, and maybe it was the way he carried himself that caused the disciple to at least go see what this man wanted. After all he said he make them fishers of men. What does that mean perhaps these two wondered that followed. There was work to be done back at the fishing boat, but even their father did not stop them from going. People as far as Syria came to see the man that healed the sick. Was this enough attraction to James and John, that we do not see them fishing again til much later in the journey of Jesus, with Peter another disciple. I do not have all the answers, but imagine if you were with a healer and seen and heard all the taught about the kingdom of heaven and repentance of sin. This ministry Jesus would be teaching these disciples first how to help him with his call to reaching out to bringing others to him perhaps in control of the crowd of people. Yet through it all, James and John would be with Jesus all the way to the cross and resurrection.

They did pick up their nets and fish, this was the way they earned their living but they also follow Jesus. Jesus speaks to our hearts, he calls us to follow, he does call us to continue working but to follow. Is our work part of our life, it is, but it is a way to make a living to provided for one's needs. Not til later that Jesus tell the disciples to take nothing on their journey to wear the clothing on their back and the rest would be provided. Did Christ live this way, he taught his disciples to go to the lost sheep of Israel first and then the Gentiles. Heavy persecution of the church took place by going into the synagogue first after the day of Pentecost. What was the begining of ministry like in Jesus day and why did persecution begin if Jesus taught in the synagogue. Jesus taught Israel their own scripture test, why then would there be persecuted, it was the lies of the leaders that did not hold regard for what was taught saying it was blasphyme, even in Christ day, despite miracles done in their presence. Jesus teaching non traditonally parables to explain much of scripture to both Jews and Gentiles, why would this be upsetting, because it would of taken money out of the temple. Point of highlighting this is because we got 34 days through the New Testament and on this journey you going to see conflict that was not justifiable by the priesthood, yet other following blindly to the cross. Perhaps because of the miracles done for them, family, friends and so forth along the way. You want to consider being a disciple of Jesus this next 34 days are for you to see why others followed, why you might just decide to follow Jesus too.

Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus called his first disciples by telling them he make them fisher's of men, did they even know what this meant, you know but the world knows not. Yet they followed. Many of your people follow by your calling to their heart, conviction of sin and miracles and open door you provide. Open the hearts of the people following to know your work in the lives of the disciples. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Matthew 10:5-14 KJV
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.