Jesus began his ministry healing thousands and telling his followers that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The real pivot point in his ministry was in Matthew 12:22 when he healed the blind and mute man by casting out the demon possessing him. This had never been done before and it was at this point that people began to recognize him as the Messiah. Matthew 4:17; Mark 1: 14b-15; Luke 4:14b-15; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4; Isaiah 11: 1-2 (KJV)