Passage
Matthew 4:18-22
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 make you fishers of men.”
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 preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Observations/Commentary
In this passage, Jesus calls his first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He doesn’t give the disciples a time frame for when they should follow him. Jesus leaves it very open by saying, “Come, follow me.”
The disciples’ responses to Jesus’ calling are astounding. They didn’t wait to reel in their nets. Peter and Andrew didn’t ask to say bye to their families. None asked for Jesus to come back in a few days so they could pack some items. Every disciple left everything, family included, and followed Jesus. The implications of the disciples’ reactions are both greatly inspiring and extremely scary.
Jesus used the disciples’ occupation in his calling, “Come fishermen; I will make you fishers of men.” He utilized the profession they understood and applied it to his mission. The disciples are still fishermen, but instead of catching fish they reel in men.
Questions
1. Why didn’t Jesus demand the disciples to follow him immediately? Why was it left for the disciples to decide?
2. When does/did Jesus call me to follow him? Has he already called me?
3. What implications do the disciples’ reactions have on my life? Where am I asking Jesus to wait?
4. Have I dropped everything and followed Jesus? Am I to be like the first disciples and literally leave everything?
5. The first disciples were two sets of two brothers. Why did he call both brothers? Was he looking for brothers or were they the first people he saw? Is there any special reason why Jesus called brothers?
6. Has Jesus called me in my profession? Where has Jesus called me saying, “You do this action at work. Utilize that for my Kingdom.”
7. How are we to become fishers of men? What does that mean for my life? All people are different. I might say, “I don’t have great social skills,” or “I don’t have courage to speak in front of hundreds,” or “I can’t ever find the right words to say to people.” Am I making an excuse or can Christ’s strength shine through my weakness? Is my motivation the fear of God or the fear of Man?
Devotional Author: Ryan Knuth