“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-22 (KJV)
Four men at work in their normal business activities. While they are working, Jesus walks by and asks them to become his disciples.
Matthew’s narrative is brief and serves only to inform us about how these four men became the Lord’s core group of followers. He leaves out many details that might make the situation clearer to his readers. For instance, one might consider how long Jesus either stood or sat and talked with them before suggesting they accept him as their Rabbi. What sort of connection or relationship did they have with Jesus prior to this event? Certainly, it is possible that grown men would abandon their father and his business to become disciples of an unknown person but given the Law’s influence of respect for father and mother, it is highly improbable. In addition, we know from John chapter 1 that Andrew had been the Baptist’s disciple who had both seen and personally met Jesus during the Baptist’s repentance campaign. Andrew had then found his brother, Simon, and introduced him to Jesus. Therefore, a prior relationship had been established.
Did Jesus go specifically to Andrew and Simon for the purpose of asking them to be his disciples? We do not know. In all probability, however, they saw Jesus walking by and invited him to stop and talk while they took a break from washing their nets. Perhaps they requested that he teach them. Again, we can only guess.
In any case, Jesus asked them to accept him as their Teacher of righteousness. And he promised them that if they would do so, he would train them to attract and teach other men in righteousness.
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to be our teacher of righteousness. Empower us with desire and faith to be his disciples. Enable us to use what we learn to inspire others to be his disciples also. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as a disciple of Christ,