Matthew 4:18-25 (ESV)
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
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. 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.
Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
It was going to be a great weekend. I had about 30 middle schoolers lined up for an incredible weekend up at a camp. We told parents to have their kids at the church at 4:30pm (knowing that most would show up later); we made sure that we had all the medical release and permission papers signed, and we began loading my truck with all the gear. I was also blessed in that a friend of mine who owns a transportation company generously let me use one of the company buses.
By the time we had all the gear loaded and the kids in the bus, it was around 5:30pm. When I turned the key to start the bus, I could tell straight away that things were not right. The engine made a squealing noise, some steam was coming from under the hood, and the bus was shaking while idling due to whatever problem the engine was having.
So I called my friend, and he told me someone would be there in a few minutes to help us out.
And who shows up? My friend, the company's owner. He was a bit dressed up from his meetings that day, wearing dress pants, a nice shirt, and a tie. I also knew that he was on his way to another important meeting with city officials at 6pm to discuss his company’s public transportation contract with the city.
So I was a bit surprised that he showed up. I initially thought he was just checking in on us and that one of his mechanics would be there shortly. But then he took off his tie, rolled up his sleeves, and began work on the engine. Soon he was on his cell talking to a mechanic and telling him to bring over some parts. Long story short, we were finally on our way around 7pm.
How many people do you know you could call for help, and who would immediately drop what they were doing to come help you?
I’m always amazed by this passage and how Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately drop what they are doing and follow Jesus. I can picture Zebedee, the father of James and John, staring after his sons as they abandon the family business to follow Jesus.
These four disciples have no idea what’s in store for them in the years that follow, but already they look foolish by worldly standards. They’ve just given up reasonable financial security in the family business to follow Jesus. But what they saw in Jesus gave them the overwhelming conviction to abandon what they were doing, and immediately follow Him.
There is something about Jesus. We’ve seen parts of it in His genealogy, the circumstances of His birth, the dreams of Joseph, the visit of the wise men, the announcement from John the Baptist, and His temptation. There is something amazing about Jesus; something that will change and transform your life as you entrust everything to Him, something worth every cost.
And so I encourage you this morning: get to know Him, and in doing so, be ready; you may just drop what you’re doing and immediately follow Him to places and people or to do things that were never part of your wildest dreams.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott