Shortly after his baptism, Jesus began to preach: ‘The Kingdom of God is near.’ Disciples followed him as he traveled around Galilee and Judea. When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, he went to the synagogue, opened the scroll of Isaiah, and read aloud: ‘Jehovah has given me holy spirit so that I can preach the good news.’ What did that mean? It meant that even though people wanted to see Jesus perform miracles, the main reason he had received holy spirit was to preach the good news. Then he told his listeners: ‘Today this prophecy has come true.’

Next, Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee, where he met four of his disciples, who were fishermen. He invited them, saying: ‘Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They were Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They immediately left their fishing business and followed him. They went all over Galilee, preaching about Jehovah’s Kingdom. They preached in synagogues, at marketplaces, and in the streets. A large crowd followed them wherever they went. News about Jesus spread everywhere, even as far as Syria.

In time, Jesus gave some of his followers the power to heal people and to expel demons. Others went with him as he preached from city to city and from village to village. A number of faithful women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others, took care of Jesus and his followers.

After training his disciples, Jesus sent them out to preach. As they traveled throughout Galilee, many others became disciples and got baptized. So many wanted to be disciples that Jesus compared them to a field that was ready to be harvested. He said: ‘Pray to Jehovah to send more workers to harvest the crop.’ He later chose 70 of his disciples and sent them out in pairs to preach all around Judea. They taught all kinds of people about the Kingdom. When the disciples came back, they were eager to tell Jesus what had happened. There was nothing the Devil could do to stop the preaching work.

Jesus made sure that his disciples would continue to do this important work after he returned to heaven. He told them: ‘Preach the good news all over the earth. Teach people about God’s Word, and baptize them.’

Jesus came to earth to declare the good news of God’s Kingdom. To show what Jesus will do as King, Jehovah gave him holy spirit to perform miracles. He could cure any sickness. Wherever he went, sick people came to him for help, and he cured them all. The blind could see, the deaf could hear, paralyzed people could walk, and those controlled by demons were set free. Even if they just touched the edge of his clothing, they would be healed. People followed Jesus wherever he went. Even when he wanted to be alone, Jesus never turned anyone away.

One time, people brought a paralyzed man to a house where Jesus was staying. But the house was so crowded that they could not get in. So they made a hole in the roof and lowered the man down to Jesus. Then Jesus told the man: ‘Get up and walk.’ When he did, the people were amazed.

Another time, as Jesus entered a village, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance and shouted: ‘Jesus, help us!’ In those days, lepers were not allowed to come near other people. Jesus told the men to go to the temple, as Jehovah’s Law said lepers must do after being cured. On their way there, they were healed. When one of the lepers realized that he had been cured, he came back to thank Jesus and praise God. Of the ten, only this one thanked Jesus.

A woman who had been sick for 12 years was desperate to be cured. She came up behind Jesus in a crowd and touched the edge of his outer garment. Immediately, she was healed. When that happened, Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” The woman was frightened, but she came forward and told him the truth. Jesus comforted her by saying: ‘Daughter, go in peace.’

An officer named Jairus begged Jesus: ‘Come to my house! My little daughter is very sick.’ But before Jesus could get to Jairus’ house, the girl died. When Jesus arrived, he saw that many people had come to mourn with the family. Jesus told them: ‘Don’t cry; she is only sleeping.’ Then he took the girl’s hand and said: “Child, get up!” She sat up immediately, and Jesus told her parents to give her something to eat. Just think how her parents must have felt!