Matthew 4:18-25 Following Jesus

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 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. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.  Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.  The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. [Matthew 4:18-25]

We know from the account in John that Jesus already knew Simon and Andrew, and that they were already His disciples. "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother." [John 1:40 NASB]. It is likely that the other follower of John the Baptist was the apostle John, mentioned in today's passage. It was his style to not mention his own name in his writings, even when referring to himself.

So, when Jesus called them from their nets, they didn't blindly follow a stranger, but knew who He was, and gladly followed Him. By the time Jesus called them, they had heard the testimony of John the Baptist that this was the Messiah. They had seen Him perform miracles, and had heard his teaching.

It took an act of faith to immediately leave everything behind, and follow Jesus. But it was not a "blind" faith. It was faith based on the their knowledge of the person and character of Jesus. By stepping out in faith as they did, they became a part of the ministry of Jesus, as well as His legacy.

When Jesus called His disciples, it was not without a purpose. He said,  "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Notice that Jesus met them were they were. Physically, of course, since they were fishermen, He met them at the seashore. He used language that they would relate to: instead of fishing for fish, you will fish for men. Also spiritually, He didn't demand that they fast and pray, perform a ritual, become indoctrinated, attend a class, or endure any type of initiation. Simply, He called, and they immediately followed.

Also, take note of His wording, "I will make you..." He didn't offer to teach them how to make themselves fishers of men. Knowing that they would have to become something they are not, Jesus took the responsibility for changing them upon Himself.

When we become followers of Jesus, it is because we have heard someone testify about the person and character of Jesus, and because the Holy Spirit draws us to Him, confirming His character to our hearts.

After we have become believers, our lives should change. But, it is not up to us to try to change ourselves. After all, do you know precisely what God is thinking, and how He wants you to become?

Jesus hasn't called us to a seminar on how to be a Christian. He has placed the Holy Spirit in each one of us, and will teach each one of us, individually.

Yes, we still need teachers, and can learn from one another, but it is the Spirit of Jesus that will transform us; not our own ideas and efforts. Learn to walk in faith, and in he Spirit, and let the Spirit of God transform your life.