The King Revealed: When Jesus Calls, Everything Changes - Matthew 4:18–22 (NLT)
Theme: The King Revealed
Topic: Jesus Calls His Disciples
Introduction: When the King Steps onto the Shore
Every call reveals something about the caller. When a telemarketer rings, we ignore it. When a doctor calls with results, we lean in. When a king summons, everything stops.
Matthew opens Jesus’ public ministry not with a miracle, not with a sermon, but with a call. A simple shoreline. Ordinary men. An extraordinary King. And in that moment, the Kingdom of God breaks into everyday life.
This is not merely a story about fishermen becoming preachers. This is a revelation of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. The King is revealed—and He calls disciples.
Matthew 4:18–22 (NLT): One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they immediately left their nets and followed him.
As he went a little farther, he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them, and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.
Let’s unpack these verses carefully. Matthew situates this story at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, along the Sea of Galilee, a hub of fishing, trade, and daily toil. This is not a glamorous stage; it’s the ordinary world of ordinary people.
Simon Peter and Andrew: fishermen by trade, part of the common working class. Their livelihood depended on nets, boats, and the unpredictable waters of the Sea of Galilee.
James and John: brothers, also fishermen, likely from a family business with their father Zebedee. Their calling involved leaving family ties—an act of total commitment.
“Come, follow me” (Greek: akoloutheite moi): A radical invitation. In Greek, akoloutheo implies more than walking behind—it conveys complete accompaniment, discipleship, and allegiance. This is not casual interest; it is total life reorientation.
“I will make you fishers of men”: Jesus redefines their purpose. Their ordinary labour becomes a divine mission: to gather people into God’s Kingdom.
Jesus’ authority: No negotiation, no prerequisites, no questioning of credentials. Jesus calls, and they respond. Their obedience signals a recognition of His divine authority.
Immediate response: They “immediately left” everything. The call of Christ requires a radical break with self-reliance and worldly security.
Kingdom priorities: The fishing metaphor shifts from livelihood to soul-winning—God’s Kingdom work transforms ordinary life into extraordinary service.
Luke 9:23–24 (NLT): Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
Greek stauróo (take up the cross) – indicates intentional, daily submission to God’s purposes.
Following Jesus requires a daily choice to surrender comfort, control, and self-interest.
Think of a parent who sacrifices sleep, career opportunities, and personal time to ensure their child’s future. Christ calls for that kind of surrender—but for eternal souls.
Max Lucado once wrote: “God never calls the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
Peter was impulsive, Andrew cautious, James ambitious, John fiery. None were perfect—but God’s call transforms weakness into kingdom effectiveness.
John 1:43–51 (NLT): The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about!”
Jesus’ call is personal. He singles out individuals to reveal Himself.
In the 21st century, God still calls personally—even through mundane routines, Zoom calls, or workplace tasks.
Imagine a CEO inviting a junior employee to join a life-changing startup, not because of their résumé, but because they see potential. Jesus sees eternal potential in you.
Tim Keller insight: “Jesus’ call is an invitation to a relationship, not merely to a religion.”
This is critical. Discipleship isn’t a checklist—it’s intimacy with Christ, learning from Him, and being shaped by His Kingdom purposes.
Matthew 16:24–25 (NLT): Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will find it.”
Greek aphiemi (give up/leave behind) – stresses deliberate abandonment of former life patterns.
Following Jesus is costly—but paradoxically, it is the path to true life, peace, and purpose.
Consider a man who sold everything to fund a ministry for orphans—losing comfort but gaining eternal impact.
R.T. Kendall observes: “Christ calls us to a radical departure from the familiar to the eternal.”
Discipleship always involves leaving something behind—comfort, security, or personal ambitions.
The Practical Application for Modern Believers
Answer the call immediately: Don’t delay obedience. In a world of distractions—social media, work pressures, entertainment—the King still calls. Respond now.
Leave what hinders: Not everyone will have to leave a fishing boat, but all must leave patterns, habits, or relationships that choke spiritual growth.
Follow daily: Discipleship is a lifelong journey. Following Jesus means daily prayer, Scripture reading, service, and mission.
Imagine a lifeboat in a storm. You see a hand reaching through the waves. You can ignore it, attempt rescue on your own, or grasp it and be guided to safety. Jesus’ call is that hand. Following Him is trusting His guidance through life’s storms.
A young apprentice notices the master carpenter’s skill and patience. He follows, learns, and eventually becomes a master himself—but only because he surrendered to the teaching. So too, discipleship with Christ shapes character, mission, and eternity.
The Gospel Connection
The call of Jesus ultimately points to the cross. The fishermen left nets for souls. You and I are called to leave sin and self for salvation.
Romans 5:8 (NLT) reminds us: But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Jesus’ death on the cross paid for our sins.
His resurrection offers new life.
To respond is to repent, believe, and follow Him.
Charles Stanley writes: “Salvation is the ultimate call—the call to life, to forgiveness, to eternity with God.”
Every discipleship journey begins at the foot of the cross. Without surrender to Christ as Saviour, there is no true following.
Call to Action:
Repent of self-reliance and sin.
Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Commit to follow Him daily, wherever He leads.
Engage in Kingdom work—prayer, evangelism, serving others.
If you have never responded to Jesus’ call: He is calling you now. Not tomorrow, not next year. Now. “Come, follow me,” He says. Will you leave your nets, your comforts, your old life, and step into His Kingdom?
Conclusion and Benediction:
The King has revealed Himself. His call echoes across centuries: not to the perfect, but to the willing. Not to those with flawless pasts, but to those ready to leave nets behind and follow.
May you walk in obedience, guided by His Spirit, trusting His promises, and living as a disciple whose life points to the risen Christ. And may His presence go before you, His word guide you, and His love transform you daily.
Go, follow the King. He is worthy of all surrender, all devotion, and all your heart.
