Call Of First Disciples Series

Theme: Calling of First Disciples

Text: Matthew 4:18-22 (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-46)

Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!

Introduction: This month we will mediate from the Holy Scriptures on the call & cost of the discipleship. Today, we would see what it means to follow Christ. Here we have the call of two sets of brothers (Matthew 4:18-22). Jesus Called a band of people to follow him, he called them disciples and appointed them as apostles to be fishers of men. We learn their instant obedience, their in-depth involvement and their indebted loyalty.

1. Instant obedience  

Matthew 4:19: And He said unto them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”(KJV), “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”(CSB), Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me and be my disciples. Then I will teach you how to catch people, instead of fish.’(EASY). 

On any ordinary day Jesus walks by, sees us, singles us out from the crowd, speaks to us and invites us to discipleship. Matthew accounts the calling of the first four disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John. Gospel of John gives the privileged of First Discipleship to John, Andrew and Philip. Jesus invited them gently with the words: “Come, follow me”.

Mathew and Mark says that they immediately dropped everything, including parents, friends and went after him; Luke says that Jesus came to them had conversation and performed miracle, then they followed him;  But John says that they were acquainted with John the Baptist, by his testimony on Jesus as Christ. So they followed him. Even today, we see three kinds of responses to the call of Christ, some follow after seeing miracles, some after understanding the teaching, and some others simply attracted to Jesus and follow him instantly.

Luke tells us “they left everything” meaning they left their business and previous affairs then and there to follow Jesus. Matthew more strongly stresses the action as immediately. These disciples did not say I will follow you “shortly”, or “maybe from tomorrow”, or “I’m busy just now”. The disciples left behind all their security and means of livelihood and even their family. They followed Jesus in complete trust, unaware of where he was going and what would happen to them. For them, following Jesus was a liberating experience.

Holman Apologetic Commentary states that ‘Jesus preached to repent and enter into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17). So, the calling of four disciples was first to salvation, and to enter into the kingdom of heaven, then to being others. So, Peter and Andrew, James and John, had extensive prior acquaintance with Jesus, and even believed in him as Messiah. (John 1:41, 2:11).’

William Barclay: ‘Jesus walked by the lakeside; and he called Peter and Andrew, James and John. It was not their first meet but Jesus had seen them, or they heard him preaching the Kingdom of God. But today is the day of salvation, today is the day of consecration for ministry, so they obeyed the Voice of Christ, instantly. They were not men of great scholarship, or influence, or wealth, or social background. They were not poor, but industrious fishers.’

Precept Austin commentary: The Greek word for LEFT is APHIEMI, (apo = prefix speaks of separation, putting some distance between + hiemi = put in motion, send) refers to total detachment, total separation, from a previous location or condition. Another meaning is "let the pot drop", nothing to reassemble. Complete surrender to his WILL.

This passage tells us how a call from the Lord can change the direction of our lives as that of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him. They are fishermen, embedded in the imperial economy. The foremost step obedience is to Follow Christ. Follow the footsteps of him.

What nets do I need to leave in order to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? What obstacles, what material attachments, what comfort zones have wound themselves so tightly around me that I cannot get up and follow him? 

2. In-depth involvement

The Greek word for Disciple is ‘Mathetes’. It means a ‘Student, learner’ or ‘follower’ who accepts and follows the opinions, teaching, and practices of a master-trainer-teacher without question. A disciple adheres completely to the teachings of master, making them as his rule of life and conduct.

Today, the terms ‘Disciple and Christian’ are closely related but not synonymous.  The followers of Jesus were called “disciples” even before they were ever called “Christians.”(Acts 11:26). Christians are mostly shallow, empty, and nominal.

Signs of in-depth involvement: it begins with Believe in God (John 3:16) and Born again experience (John 3:3); prayer becomes a major act of life (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12); “Listen to Him -Jesus” (Matthew 17:5); Live by faith for everything (Habakkuk 2:4). John 8:1 obeys Jesus and love him with all your mind (Mark 12:30). The wages of sin is death- not able to love others, not being blessed of Jesus. John 12:26 ‘if anyone serves me the Father will honours him.‘suffering is part of discipleship’ (Philippians 1:20).