Tuesday, June 21, 2016

June 21, 2016

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:18-22

Maybe this has never bothered you but I have had a hard time with it.

These four fishermen (professional fishermen) just dropped their nets, docked their boats and walked away from their business just because this young Rabbi asked them to follow Him.

History records that they made a great decision in deciding to follow Jesus. But think about it, at the moment He called them and Peter, James, John and Andrew made an immediate career change.

When I think about walking away from a family business and leaving it just because some young popuae rabbi invited them to follow Him. So, you tell me - doesn't that sound impulsive or even irresponsible? I honestly don't know 

There must be more to the story than just what is written in this account from Matthew. I've a feeling that I'm missing something here. And sure enough, I WAS missing some important details about this story that Luke included in His account of the calling of the first disciples.

Here's the story:

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.  He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. ”Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

Oh! Well that makes sense!


Look what preceded His call to follow Him:

1) He built their faith
2) He built up their financial reserve so the business would survive without them
3) He called them to fish for men.

Jesus doesn't expect you to follow blindly but He does call you to follow!