Matthew 4:12-25
We are not called to follow an ideology or a slogan but a person. This is something which many persons in our Christian world need to understand. There is so much arguing over theological positions and claims of following a particular system of theology which causes division. What we should in fact be focussing on is that we are called to follow Jesus—not an ideology or a theology but a person. If we would pay greater attention to the one whom we are called to follow then there would be less likelihood that we will be quarrelling among ourselves and seeking to have people commit to one system of belief or another but doing what Jesus called the pair of brothers to do—to be fishers of men. Matthew’s narrative makes it clear that the call to be a disciple is a call to follow Jesus.
Jesus calls us to follow Him not for the purpose of simply enjoying His presence, and we will; not simply to have the security of His protection, and we will; not only to know the reality of His provision for every aspect of our lives, which we will enjoy. Our purpose is not to become wealthy, prosperous Christians; our purpose is not to reign as kings in this life or to attain exalted positions of power and authority over the lives of people among whom we will minister. Jesus calls us for the singular purpose of being “fishers of men”; those who will minister to the lives of people around us in such a way that they are drawn to a part of the eternal kingdom of God.
What Jesus does in calling the two sets of brothers is unusual; we are told that in that time persons would follow a particular rabbi and then make the choice to become his disciple. Jesus reverses the process; he does not wait for persons to follow Him; he chooses these two sets of brothers by issuing them a call to follow Him. God does not wait for us to seek Him out; it is God who comes calling us to follow Him. We might believe that we were the ones to initiate the process of following Jesus or of seeking salvation not realising that all our lives God has been seeking us. He is the one who initiates the call to salvation and discipleship.
The call of Jesus is for us to make a definitive and decisive response. That is what Matthew emphasises when he states that they “left” their nets (Peter and Andrew), their boat and their father (James and John). The word “left” can have the meaning of “abandoned” and this seems to be precisely what Peter and Andrew did because they were casting their nets when called and they did not even draw their nets in or wait to see whether they caught any fish. Matthew records that they left “at once” (Peter and Andrew) and “immediately” (James and John). One bible scholar opines, “When Jesus calls a person to discipleship, there is no excuse for delay or disobedience.”
The brothers all take decisive and immediate action in responding to the call of Jesus. There could be no mistake in the message which they sent to all and sundry around them that they were making following Jesus their priority. Their response was not only immediate, it was also total. Likewise, our response to Jesus’ call to follow Him must be total and immediate. Answering the call of Jesus meant a separation from one’s profession and from one’s family for these fishermen; they “abandoned” their livelihood and their families to follow Jesus. In so doing, they declared what was now their priority in life. Allegiance to Jesus is stronger than any earthly attachment. What have you chosen as your priority? Is your profession and desire for personal advancement your priority? Is your family too important for Jesus and His kingdom to be placed above them?
One final thought—neither pair of brothers were idle when they were called. Here were men who had purpose and responsibility, who did what they could to ensure the provision for their families. Jesus simply asked them to shift their priorities and to use the qualities of hard work, purpose and responsibility in the task to which he was now calling them—that of helping people to find their way to the kingdom of God.
The question for us today is, “Are we willing to make following Jesus and being “fishers of men” the major priority of our lives?”
P.S. If you have a little time, I have linked this devotional to a song to which you can listen for an understanding of Jesus call to follow Him. It is dated but pay close attention to the lyrics.