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).
These twelve disciples were appointed as Apostles (Apostolos), which meant the one who is sent out with a special commission as an ambassador with fully authorised representative. The apostles are generally listed in order of importance and paired according to their associations. Discipleship means to follow him as a practicing disciple, and pleasing disciple.
Jesus separates ''the twelve'' for special training so they can be equipped to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. Jesus called his disciples one by one at various occasions form their various vocations. He taught them the values of his kingdom, he trained them in healing, caring, and in preaching. He taught them to face the crisis, needs and being faithful civilian.
Disciples were: Jesus spent the whole night in prayer and in the morning, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13). We find the names of the disciples in the Gospel books of Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19 and Luke 6:13-16.
The Twelve are named in the following series: We can group them into three: First five, then five and finally two.
Frist five are: Simon Peter was the first disciple in the synoptic gospels. Peter comes from Petros meaning Rock, Jesus named him ‘Kephas‘ an Aramaic name. But Gospel of John projects Andrew as a first disciple. Andrew comes from Andreas means man or manly. John means God is gracious. James comes from Lakobos means Jacob. John and James were called as sons of Thunder. Philip comes from Philippos means Lover of horses.
Second Five are: Bartholomew ("friend of Philip", “Gospel of John refers him as Nathanael") from bartholomaios means Son of Talmai, Talmai means plowman. Thomas from Aramaic te’oma means ‘twin’. Matthew ("the publican", "or Levi") comes from Maththaios means gift of Yahweh; he was also called Levi. James means short. Thaddaeus Greek meaning is gift of God but in Aramaic, it means Beast.
The last two are: Simon from the Zealot group. Simon (Heb: Simeon means hearing) Simon (Greek name) means flat nosed. Judas comes from Judah (praise Yahweh), Iscariot is a Hebrew word ‘Ish Kerioth‘means ‘a man from Kerioth.’
Their discipleship began with Jesus’ call and their will to follow Him (Mathew 9:9). Jesus was quite explicit about the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires a totally committed life: “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Sacrifice is expected: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’” (Matthew 16:24).
We need to respond to Jesus through renouncing self, recognising the voice of God, and rejoicing in trials, remain in him, rest in him and regard others very highly. So, we need to crucify the evil, carnal aspirations and desires that torment our thoughts and lives. We have to deny self, and die to the carnality.
Billy Graham: “Control the body, mind, and heart. Just one moment of temporary satisfaction will ruin your entire life. Samson controlled Lions but not his own loins of body. Flee from fornication, adultery, sexual desires. Paul controlled his body from sexual sins, and food habits, think only lovely things of Philippians 4:8. Mind of Christ. Renewing of mind by surrender to God. Mark 7:14 lists the habitants of the heart.”
3. Indebted loyalty
Mark 1:17: And Jesus said unto them, “Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”(KJV). “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”(CSB).
The first four disciples were from the fisheries community, then others have come from various occasions and vocations. They ended their lives as loyal disciples, they were crucified, killed, and lost everything. Even today, all of us are not possessed with same talents, skills and abilities. Jesus recognises our skills; he takes us and redirects us to a higher cause, so that we can serve others through them.
Each of us is a fisherman. We are called to fish people through our witness, through our prayers, through evangelism, and through the communication of the good news. God has Chosen us to Change the world, he has Chosen us to be agents of Change. Fishers of fish would be transformed into fishers of men by being with Jesus, by spending time with the Master Fisher of men!
Often it is said that Jesus did not “Call the Qualified,” rather He “Qualified the Called!” He chooses “ordinary people,” like you and me, men and women, boys and girls to be His modern-day disciples. By His grace He has chosen us to believe in Him as our only Lord and Savior; to stand firm in the truth of His Word, in spite of wicked worldly opposition; to Serve Him through our loving service to those around us and to faithfully and joyfully follow wherever He leads us.
Jesus gave power “to preach” (Greek kerysso, keryx, “herald,” and kerygma, “proclamation”), tie particularly to the message about the kingdom of God and about Jesus. Their work of preaching happened in open-air settings, street corners or marketplaces and in synagogues. It happened in small groups or one-on-one conversations. Jesus used the trend that was available to Him and used it well (Enduring Word). Our Ministry is to the whole person, feed the soul, heal the sick, and treat the emotional disturbances.
Jesus called people to encounter God’s empire (Matthew 4:17). The Greek word BASILEIA is translated in various ways: kingdom, reign, rule, and empire. It’s the divine action in space, present or future, already among people or not here yet.
No evangelism and preaching could end with quick results. So we must never to be discouraged, but always to try again and again. The wise fisherman knows well that there are times when it is hopeless to fish. He knows when to cast and when not to cast. The good preacher and teacher chooses his moment, a time to speak and a time to be silent. If he obtrudes his own presence, even his own shadow, the fish will certainly not bite. The wise preacher and teacher will always presents Jesus Christ.
William Barclay states that ‘a good fisherman must possess patience, perseverance, courage an eye for the right moment, the bait to the fish, and the wise fisherman must keep himself out of sight.’
Conclusion: will you be a fisherman? Amen
