They were fishermen

They were fishermen

Scripture:

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22

Observation:

Right at the start of His ministry, Jesus then proceeds to call His first 4 disciples. The scene Matthew paints shows Jesus walking on the beach beside the Sea of Galilee, where he notices Peter and Andrew fishing. He calls out to them “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” They immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus. Going on from there, Jesus sees two more brothers, James and John, and calls them too. And the immediately leave their boats and follow the Master.

Now, at first reading, we may tend to conclude that this was the first time Jesus met the four disciples. However, when we compare this to the account in the gospel of John, we will realize that Jesus had already met them before. John the Baptist had asked John and Andrew to follow Jesus and the Lord already spent some time with Andrew and Peter.                                    

Application:

There are three great lessons we can learn from this passage. Firstly, Jesus’ calling comes to anyone who is willing. One does not have to be a great scholar or rich and famous person to follow Jesus. Jesus called first of all humble fishermen to be the core among all His disciples. All of us can be of great value to the Lord, if we only let Him use us. It is the willingness that makes all the difference!

Secondly, God loves families. Peter and Andrew, James and John, were 2 sets of brothers. We are not to serve God in isolation, but seek to serve God together as families.

Thirdly, we are likewise called to be sent out to fish for people. Evangelism has always been a difficult task in the eyes of most in the church. However, it is still our calling, and when the Lord is with us, we can do the impossible. Evangelism is not always about going far away to preach the gospel. Evangelism starts right at home when we go out and choose to be a blessing to others, open to being there for our neighbors and colleagues as an available friend. When an opportune time comes, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us what to say.,

Prayer:

Praise You, Father in Heaven, for You look with favor upon the lowly. You call us not by greatness or qualification, but simply by humility and willingness. Help me always be humble and willing to serve You O Lord, that I might be Your vessel to the world around me. Open my mouth and my heart to love others more and more, so that I might know how to speak to them, and show them Your love. Thank You, Lord, that You love families. Help me and my family, I pray, be willing and able living sacrifices for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.