This week, in an apparent delusional rant, Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi warned western nations not to get involved in what he said was an internal Libyan affair. He said that western interference would result in another Vietnam, of extended loss of life. The world community is considering intervention in light of confirmed reports of the killing of civilians. The debate in Libya and among the rebels is if they are going to be directly call western nations to act.
In Matthew 4, this is actually the second time Jesus called Peter and Andrew. In John 1:35–42 they were called to salvation; here they are called to service. The first took place in Judea; this one in Galilee. Peter and Andrew were fishermen, but Jesus called them to be fishers of men. Their responsibility was to follow Christ. His responsibility was to make them successful fishermen. Their following of Christ involved more than physical nearness. It included their imitation of the character of Christ. Theirs was to be a ministry of character. What they were was more important than what they said or did.
Just as with Peter and Andrew, we are to avoid the temptation to substitute eloquence, personality, or clever arguments for true (discipleship). In following Christ, the disciple learns to go where the fish are swimming, to use the proper lure, to endure discomfort and inconvenience, to be patient, and to keep out of sight (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mt 4:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
In the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Jesus we see a lesson for all who would follow Him that 1) A Disciple shows Diligence (Matthew 4:18–20) and 2) A Disciple shows Determination (Matthew 4:21–22)
1) A Disciple shows Diligence: The Calling of Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18–20)
Matthew 4:18-20 [18]While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. [19]And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." [20]Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (ESV)
It is significant that (Jesus’) first recorded action is to gather a group of followers, who will commit themselves to a total change of lifestyle which involves them in joining Jesus as his essential support group for the whole period of his public ministry (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (145). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
The Location, the Sea of Galilee is an oval-shaped body of water. this ‘sea’ is actually a 42,000 acre freshwater lake (Mills, M. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Mt 4:18–Mk 1:20). Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries.) about 12 miles by 8 miles (21km long by 11km wide) and is nearly 700 feet below sea level. It was known in the Bible by four different names (1) the Sea of Chinnereth (cf. Num. 34:11); (2) Lake Gennesaret (cf. Luke 5:1); (3) the Sea of Tiberias (cf. Jn. 6:1; 21:1); and (4) here, the Sea of Galilee (Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 9: The First Christian Primer: Matthew. Study Guide Commentary Series (30). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.).
Luke, who was well traveled, always referred to it more properly as a lake. Yet Josephus reports that in the first century A.D. some 240 boats regularly fished the waters of that lake. Much additional fishing was done along the shore, as Simon (who was called Peter) [see Matt. 16:16–18], and Andrew his brother were doing on this occasion, casting a net into the sea. The four men Christ first called to follow Him were not lazy loafers. They were industrious, hardworking fishermen. God is not in the habit of calling (people) to serve Him who are slothful and lazy. If you are a poor worker on the job, you will (most likely be) be a poor worker for Christ. (The diligence and commitment that is required to follow Christ is often visible in other areas as well) (Butler, J. G. (2008). Analytical Bible Expositor: Matthew (62). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.).
In that day, three methods of fishing were used. One was by hook and line, the second was by a throw net cast from the shallow water along the shore, and the third was by a large dragnet strung between two or more boats in the deep water. Peter and Andrew were here obviously using the second method. That net was probably about nine feet in diameter, and the two brothers were skilled in its use, for they were fishermen by trade. The Greek term for that particular net was amphiblēstron (related to our amphibious, an adjective describing something related to both land and water)-so named because the person using the net would stand on or near shore and throw the net into the deeper water where the fish were.
When Jesus called those first disciples, He gathered together the first fish-catching crew of His church. They were the first of the original band of evangelists He called to fulfill the Great Commission. They were His first partners in ministry. Jesus had the power and the right to accomplish the work of proclaiming the gospel by Himself. But that was not His plan. He could have done it alone, but He never intended to do it alone. From the beginning of His ministry, His plan was to use disciples to win disciples. He would command His disciples to do other things, but His first call to them was, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Please turn to John 1
The command that Jesus gives in Matthew 4:19, Follow Me (in the Greek an adverb of place expressing a command). Andrew and Simon were fishers by trade. They had already become disciples of Jesus (Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Mt 4:19). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.)
John 1:35-51 [35]The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36]and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" [37]The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38]Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39]He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. [40]One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41]He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). [42]He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). [43]The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." [44]Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. [45]Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." [46]Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." [47]Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" [48]Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." [49]Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" [50]Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, ’I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these." [51]And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (ESV)
In Matthew 4:19, this call does not imply that they are to join Jesus for their own sakes as was the case with reference to the call which John 1:35, etc., reports. This call presupposes that these men had already followed that other call, were already disciples and believers, already knew the gospel and the work of spreading its salvation. This call is for the sake of others, ἄνθρωποι, “men,” human beings. The term is universal and not restricted to (men or any ethnic group) (Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel (170). Minneapolis, MN.: Augsburg Publishing House.).
What Jesus issues here is not even an invitation, but rather a demand (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (147). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
• We must be very careful in giving "invitations" to follow Jesus. "Invitations" have an R.S.V.P. feeling to them, a "take it" or "leave it", "it’s up to you", type of offering.
The directive that Jesus gave was the central core of His message that we saw last week (Mt. 4:12-17) is a command to repent:
Acts 17:30-31 [30]The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31]because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." (ESV)
• This call clearly points to a lasting association; Jesus is not inviting them to a pleasant stroll along the seashore but ... to discipleship; there is the thought of personal (continual) attachment (Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (85). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.).
The task to which he is calling them is described not primarily as one of learning from a teacher, but of active “fishing.” The metaphor follows naturally from the description of their previous occupation, but leaves open the nature of the “catching:” from what and into what are people to be “fished”? (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (147). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
Jesus makes a play on words based on Simon and Andrew’s occupation. Like all analogies, all possible points of comparison must not be pressed. Jesus is not implying that being a “fishers of men” involves anything seductive, deceitful, or harmful. Rather, he is pointing out that just as fishermen try to gather fish from the sea, his disciples too will be trying to gather together other individuals...to follow Jesus in radical obedience (Blomberg, C. (2001). Vol. 22: Matthew (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (91). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers).
The occupation of fisherman was labor-intensive. The imagery of using a lure and a line (and waiting for the fish to strike) is thus foreign to this text.
Rather, the imagery of a fisherman involved much strain, long hours, and often little results. (Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Mt 4:19). Biblical Studies Press.).
A number of qualities that make a good fisherman can also help make a good fishers of men, or evangelists. First, a fisherman needs to be patient, because he knows that it often takes time to find a school of fish. Fishermen learn to wait. Second, a fisherman must have perseverance. It is not simply a matter of waiting patiently in one place, hoping some fish will eventually show up. It is a matter of going from place to place, and sometimes back again, over and over-until the fish are found. Third, fishermen must have good instinct for going to the right place and dropping the net at the right moment. Poor timing has lost many a catch, both of fish and of men. A fourth quality is courage. Commercial fishermen, certainly ones such as those on the Sea of Galilee, frequently face considerable danger from storms and various mishaps. Fifth, a good fisherman also keeps himself out of sight as much as possible. It is very easy for ourselves to get in the way of our witnessing, causing people to turn away. A good soul-winner keeps himself out of the picture as much as possible.
Jesus did not simply command His disciples to become fishers of men, but promised that He would make them fishermen for men’s souls. When Jesus called the disciples to commit themselves to evangelism, He also committed Himself to train them and empower them. Following the Lord’s example, the church not only must call its members to evangelize, but must continually train and encourage them in that calling. The Lord not only empowers his disciples to witness but empowers them to train others to witness. In other words, He empowers His disciples to disciple, just as He promised in the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 [18]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)
• To make disciples is to evangelize, to bring men and women, by the power of the Holy Spirit, under the Saviorhood and lordship of Jesus Christ. When Jesus called His disciples to Himself, He also called them to call others.
Please turn to Mark 6
Jesus first sent the disciples out two-by-two on brief missions, instructing them about what they should and should not do and say (Mark 6:7–11).
Mark 6:7-11 [7]And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. [8]He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in their belts-- [9]but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. [10]And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. [11]And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." (ESV)
• There comes a time when people continually refuse to hear the call of the gospel to move on to other fish. When we continue to put our time and effort to people who continue to refuse to hear the call of the Gospel, we miss the opportunity to reach others who God has prepared to dear and believe.
After three years of teaching and training in short-term assignments, Jesus finally left them permanently on their own. Yet they were not on their own, because He would henceforth not only be with them but in them (Matt. 28:20; John 16:13–15).
Matthew 4:20 notes that the disciples’ obedience was instant: Immediately they left their nets, and followed Him. When Jesus calls, people must be willing to realign previous plans and goals, sometimes leaving something important in order to follow Jesus. Jesus is not satisfied with halfhearted Christians (Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew. Life application Bible commentary (69). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
The sovereign authority of the Lord had spoken. Followed is from akoloutheō, which conveys the idea of following as a disciple who is committed to imitating the one he follows.
Etiquette required a rabbi’s disciple to walk literally “behind” his teacher. But when Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to “Follow Me", to come behind him, they will soon find that he is far from a conventional rabbi, especially in that those who wished to follow a rabbi generally took the initiative themselves, rather than being summoned in this way. A disciple was an adherent or follower of a master, an intimate companion in some common endeavor, often learning and promoting a particular ideology (Blomberg, C. (2001). Vol. 22: Matthew (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (90). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
Quote: Diétrich puts it well: “It is no longer a question of taking fish from the lake, but of drawing men up out of the abyss of sin and death, catching them in the great net of God!” Jesus’ disciples would not only learn from him but would bring others into living contact with God. The call to discipleship clearly meant separation from the kind of life they had been living hitherto, but it did not mean that they had to sell everything and break every earthly tie as 8:14 shows (Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (85). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.).
Yet, the disciples paid a price economically to follow Jesus. The kingdom is like a precious treasure, worth the abandonment of all other treasures (Mt 13:44–46). Many of us today respond defensively, “I would abandon everything if Jesus asked me to, but he has not asked me to.” Yet if we value the priorities of the kingdom—people and proclamation more than possessions—I wonder whether Jesus is not speaking to us through the world’s need for the gospel and daily bread.( Keener, C. S. (1997). Vol. 1: Matthew. The IVP New Testament commentary series (Mt 4:20). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.).
Illustration: When D. L. Moody once visited an art gallery in Chicago he was especially impressed by a painting called “The Rock of Ages.” The picture showed a person with both hands clinging to a cross firmly embedded in a rock. While the stormy sea smashed against the rock, he hung tightly to the cross. Years later Mr. Moody saw a similar picture. This one also showed a person in a storm holding to a cross, but with one hand he was reaching out to someone who was about to drown. The great evangelist commented that, though the first painting was beautiful, the second was even lovelier.
Now only does 1) A Disciple shows Diligence (Matthew 4:18–20) but also
2) A Disciple shows Determination: The Calling James and John (Matthew 4:21-22)
Matthew 4:21-22 [21]And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. [22]Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (ESV)
When Jesus called James and John they were tough, crusty outdoors-men. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, a routine but important task in the fishing business. Like Andrew and Simon from the previous examples, they had already been called to faith in the Savior (see John 1:35–51; 2:11);
In Matthew 4:21 Jesus called them to the work of evangelism alongside Himself. Both in Jesus’ teaching and in His example we can see principles that every soul-winner must emulate. First of all, Jesus was available. It seems incredible that the Son of God, who had so very little time to teach and train the slow-learning disciples, would be so open to those who came to Him for comfort or healing. He never turned down a request for help. Second, Jesus showed no favoritism. The poor and outcast could approach Him as easily as the wealthy and powerful. The influential Jairus and the powerful Roman centurion had no advantage over the Samaritan woman of Sychar or the woman taken in adultery. Third, Jesus was totally sensitive to the needs of those around Him. He always recognized an open heart, a repentant sinner. Even when the crowd pressed around Him, He noticed the woman who touched the hem of His garment. “Jesus turning and seeing her said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ And at once the woman was made well” (Matt. 9:20–22) When we are sensitive to Christ’s Spirit, He will make us sensitive to others, and will lead us to them or them to us.
Fourth, Jesus usually secured a public profession or testimony. Sometimes He gave specific instruction, as He did to the man He delivered from demons (Mark 5:19), whereas at other times the desire to witness was spontaneous, as with the woman of Sychar (John 4:28–29). Fifth, Jesus showed love and tenderness to those He sought to win. Again His experience with the woman at Sychar gives a beautiful example. She not only was a religious outcast in the eyes of Jews but was an adulteress. She had had five husbands and was then living with a man to whom she was not married. Yet Jesus firmly but gently led her to the place of faith. Through her, many other Samaritans were led to salvation (John 4:7–42). Finally, Jesus always took time. In contrast to many of His followers, Jesus always had time for others. Some Christian workers are so busy with “the Lord’s work” that they have no time for others-though that was a primary characteristic of Jesus’ own ministry. Even while on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus took time to heal the woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years (Mark 5:21–34).
Finally, Matthew 4:22 notes that they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him. They did not leave their father to manage for himself; Mark records that he already had hired men who helped him (Mark 1:20). (Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew. Life application Bible commentary (70). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.)
The response of Peter, Andrew, James, and John to Jesus’ call was the same. They immediately left what they were doing and followed Him. Their obedience was instant and without hesitation. When Jesus calls a person to discipleship, there is no excuse for delay or disobedience (Blomberg, C. (2001). Vol. 22: Matthew (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (91). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
At this time they had little knowledge of Jesus’ teaching or of what following Him would cost. But it was enough for them to know who He was and that His call to them was a divine call.
These disciples had little education, little spiritual perception, and possibly little religious training of any sort. As their new Master began to teach them, even when He spoke in parables, they often lacked full comprehension of His meaning.
• When God calls you to follow Him, we often say that we lack certain experience or training as an excuse to not obey. A frequent excuse to leave a path of obedience is the excuse that we will return at a later time. Without immediate action of obedience in making disciples, the worries and business of life easily crowd out the tremendous privilege and responsibility.
Please turn to Matthew 19
In Matthew 4:22 the inclusion of the boat and the men’s father makes the radical nature of their renunciation even more graphic. For the priority of discipleship even over family ties cf. 8:18–22; 10:21–22, 34–37; 12:46–50; the tension between such demands and the proper concern for parents which Jesus will defend in 15:3–6 underlines the radical urgency of his call (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (148). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
Matthew 19:27-29 [27]Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" [28]Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29]And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (ESV)
Matthew is careful to document the willingness of these early disciples to forsake the security of home and vocation (cf. 19:27), thus establishing early in his story the necessary elements of true discipleship (cf. 8:18–22; 19:27–29). Jesus’ authoritative call must take precedence over all family ties (cf. 10:34–36) and concern for physical well-being (cf. 6:25–33). It demands nothing less than a decisive break from old loyalties and a radical reorientation of one’s values and priorities (James D.G. Dunn, Jesus’ Call to Discipleship (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992); also M.J. Wilkins, The Concept of Disciple in Matthew’s Gospel (Leiden: Brill, 1988).)
Following Christ means truly getting our priorities in order. We retain obligations and responsibilities on this earth while we seek first the Kingdom of God. The response of those who are called is to be both immediate and absolute, involving a complete break with old loyalties. The actual shape of this break with the past will undoubtedly vary from individual to individual, but that there must be a fundamental, radical reorientation of a person’s priorities (Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (78). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.).
Finally, please turn to Matthew 13
The time of our "fishing" on this earth will end, and God will draw in the nets. The choice is whether we care enough about people to be a part of the fishing.
Matthew 13:47-50 [47]"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. [48]When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. [49]So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous [50]and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (ESV)
(Format Note: some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (100–109). Chicago: Moody Press)
