I am a Jesus pusher!!! Matthew summarizes Jesus’ ministry in three verses (Matthew 4:23-25). But there is one topic he does not mention. It is INCOME. Personal gain is never addressed. There seems to be no pay. Nothing is spoken of offerings or salary. In my translation of verse twenty-four the word fame is used, but not in the sense of power and prestige. The Greek word (akoee) translated fame means “to hear something.” It is used for the idea of a rumor. We will find as His ministry progresses that “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head,” (Matthew 8:20).
If you study the four Gospel accounts carefully searching for a hidden agenda or an angle, you simply will not find one. There is no material gain involved; there is no power acquired. He never strives for a position of rule. The applause of the crowd quickly dismayed Him (John 2:24). The heart of His Father drove him. He wanted what the Father wanted. It must be understood! He did not have intimacy with His Father because He gave His life for others. NO! He gave His life for others because He was intimate with the Father. How will His disciples become fishers of men? He will not train them in techniques; He will not teach them skills of crowd psychology. He will reveal to them intimacy with His Father which gives a passion for men. Oh! I would be possessed by His heart! I am a burning Jesus pusher!!!