Key Verse: "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and
I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17
Now begins the fun of trying to discern what really happened
on the shores of Galilee. While we may
not be able to figure out exactly what happened, we know two things for sure. Jesus said, "Come, follow me," and
by the end of the day, His first four disciples, Andrew, Simon, James and John,
took up His invitation, left their nets, and obeyed.
The gospel of John mentions that Andrew was a disciple of
John the Baptist first. So, we already
see that Andrew has more interest in spiritual matters than fishing. He had probably already been having many
conversations with his brother Simon, and James and John, and family friends or
relatives, while they were out in the boats fishing or doing the tedious work
of mending the nets after the catch had been gathered.
Now Jesus arrives on the scene, teaching to the crowd about
the kingdom of God. In Luke's version,
He asks if He can borrow a boat to sit out a bit from shore so that the crowd
can hear Him better. Water is an
excellent carrier of sound. Simon and
the others couldn't help but hear what He was saying as they continued to work
on cleaning their nets.
Now, His teaching over, Jesus wishes to reward Simon for his
willingness to share, especially since Simon didn't have much to show for a
whole night's work. "Simon,"
Jesus says to him, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a
catch." Jesus knew what He was
doing even if Simon did not.
"Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught
anything. But because you say so, I will
let down the nets." Peter probably didn’t
think much would happen because he knew that the fishing was best at
night. But almost immediately, Simon is
rewarded for his obedience! The nets are full to breaking! There is plenty to fill both boats. There is plenty to sell in the market place. Their physical needs are provided for, for
the near future.
Now, they are ready to hear Jesus say, "Come, follow
me." Somehow, this miracle convicts
Simon of his sin causing him to repent and humble himself before Jesus. Jesus is ready to take him, and Andrew, and
James, and John. With them, He is to
begin His ministry on this earth. Somehow,
Simon understands that this isn't just an opportunity to make it rich by
capitalizing on a friendship that had the potential to end his physical
struggles forever. This met a spiritual
need in Simon, more than a physical one.
It is the spiritual need that Simon responds too.
These four men would develop a special bond with Jesus. Three of them would be with Him on the Mount
of Transfiguration and in the garden of Gethsemane. These four men would see His ministry from
start to finish. One of them, Simon,
would play a major part, through the help of the Holy Spirit, in beginning the
church. Who would have ever seen such
potential in a crude fisherman? Yet, we
explored earlier the amazing life of Joseph and Mary too because of their
obedience. (Feb. 5)
Again we must say, what amazing things can come from small
beginnings when we obey the call, "follow me."
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