Life of Jesus: Difference between revisions

After His baptism, Jesus began His public ministry by proclaiming the message of the kingdom of heaven, stating, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A17&version=NIV |title=Matthew 4:17 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> He called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who were fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, to be His disciples. As He traveled throughout Galilee with His disciples, Jesus healed the sick and extended His saving hand to the marginalized. He rose early to pray and preached in every town, teaching the people about the eight blessings available to Christians and the conduct required to enter the [[Heaven|kingdom of heaven]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A35-39&version=NIV |title=Mark 1:35–39 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The blessings He described were spiritual rather than merely physical. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding false prophets and acting in accordance with God’s will rather than engaging in iniquity. Because these teachings were delivered on a mountainside, they are commonly referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Matthew 5:1–2 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>