Hi Brian! The word for this week is "fame". We'll be looking at these verses: Matthew 4:23 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. KJV Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, KJV Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. KJV
These are all from the Greek word "akoe". Strong's Concordance says: hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a thing heard, instruction (namely oral: the preaching of the Gospel), report, hearsay, rumor.Jesus never did anything FOR fame! He simply did what the Father desired as He (JESUS) was led by the Spirit. Fame came to JESUS as people were healed and set free during His ministry on earth! That IS the purpose for our giving testimonies of all of His "wondrous works"! When we brag on JESUS, the fame and attention goes to Him and people are drawn to Him. That IS our job here on earth, after all! But even more than our words, our lives reflect Him. When your diligence, faithfulness and hard work in your career results in success for your company, Jesus is glorified. When your love for your family is on display, Jesus is glorified! When your children’s unique personalities are allowed to shine through, Jesus is glorified! HE gets His fame THROUGH us, and it is as much by what people see in us as by what we say! I believe that you and Kristine and your beautiful daughters are continually making Jesus FAMOUS! Here is Hillsong Worship with another new song that mentions His fame. It’s called "Lettered Love":
