His First Disciples
TRANSLATION
(18) And walking by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. (19) And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (20) And immediately they abandoned their nets and followed him. (21) And going on from there he saw two more 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) and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.
(23) And Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all types of disease and every kind of malady among the people. (24) And his fame spread into all of Syria. And they brought to him all who were sick, gripped with every kind of illness and torment, oppressed by demons, as well as those afflicted with epilepsy and paralysis, and he healed them. (25) And multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judaea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
OBSERVATIONS
In the first paragraph of this segment, words regarding the Sea of Galilee and the disciples’ fishing profession proliferated. “Sea” (vs. 18), “net(s)” (vss. 20 & 21), “fishermen” and fishers of men” (vs. 19), and “boat” (vss. 21 & 22) were repeated as were “brother(s)” (four times in vss. 18 & 20), “father” (vss. 21 & 22), and the phrase, “immediately they left…and followed him” (vss. 20 & 22).
In the second paragraph, “all” and “every” were used repeatedly (vss. 23 & 24). Matthew employed three participles to describe Jesus’ ministry: “teaching…preaching…healing” (vs. 23). Several synonyms for suffering were used as well: “disease” and “malady” (vss. 23 & 24), “illness,” “torment,” “oppressed by demons,” “epilepsy,” and “paralysis” (vss. 24 & 25).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus called his first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. (18-22)
II. Jesus ministered throughout the region of Galilee. (23-25)
IDEA STATEMENT
Having called his first disciples, Jesus began his ministry of teaching, proclaiming the gospel, healing every kind of illness, and attracting large crowds throughout Galilee.
APPLICATION
The transition from “fishermen” to “fishers of men” gives us significant insight into the nature of discipleship. Becoming a follower of Jesus does not require us to change location, nor does it demand that we become qualified or certified before joining up. Jesus met his first disciples right where they were and invited them to something far more challenging and fulfilling than what they had been doing, promising to make their lives far more meaningful. All they had to do was “follow me.” This was on-the-job training at its very best. The skills they had already mastered in sailing a boat, maintaining equipment, knowing when and where to gather fish, and selling their catch would stand them in good stead in the far greater endeavor of fishing for men.
Peter, Andrew, James, and John were destined to become the leaders of a movement that would eventually turn the world upside down. After three years, Jesus would depart, leaving everything in their hands. This process of one generation entrusting their ministry to the next generation through discipleship has continued ever since. Paul described this process to his spiritual son, Timothy, in one verse: “And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Countless believers have heard and responded to the same call over the ensuing centuries. Will we hear and respond obediently to his call as these first disciples did?