What Now? 3

Matthew 4:18-20

Often times at church events we make certain that we don’t do all the work to prepare. It may seem the wrong thing to do, but it is actually a good thing to ask others to help. We might wait until people arrive before we begin setting up tables or setting out materials. It is important to make others feel included in what you are doing. It makes them know they are part of what is going on.

As Jesus began his ministry he gathered some followers to be part of what he was doing. Who did he see? What were they doing? What did Jesus say? How did Peter and Andrew respond?

Most are familiar with the calling of the first disciples. Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee and sees two fishermen. He is knowledgeable in fishing. It takes some effort. It takes patience. It requires certain knowledge and skill. And when you fish you are often working in the unknown – you can’t always see what lies beneath the surface.

Then Jesus makes a clever request. He asks them to be part of his ministry. Their lives will change. They will still be fishing – trying to gather together – but they will be after people and not fish.

To be in ministry requires the skills of fishing – effort, patience, skill, and the ability to deal with the unknown. It simply deals with much more important concepts. Fishing for men involves saving souls, leading people out of the depths of despair and hopeless into the joys and hopes of God’s kingdom.

We may not be fishermen. We may have other jobs. But we are called into ministry with the Lord. We are all called to help bring the lost into that profound relationship with God that brings peace and love and salvation.

The disciples were able to drop what they were doing and follow Jesus. The question is, are we able to stop what we are doing and turn our attention to the work of God?

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will it take for you to be a fisher of men?

Called to Serve 1

Matthew 4:18-22

Today I heard about a local pastor who would, on some Sundays, announce to his congregation that he had nothing to say. The service would then go on without a message.

That astounded me and truly disappointed me. I believe every pastor should have a message every Sunday and whenever he or she is asked to say something. A pastor should be ready to serve at all times. But really, if we are going to be Christians we must all be ready to serve at some point.

What was Jesus doing when he encountered Peter and Andrew? What were they doing? What about James and John? How did all four react to the summons?

Previous study on the disciples has caused me to believe that the four men summoned were no strangers of Jesus. It is quite likely that the two pairs of men were local fishing business men in Capernaum, a small town in which Jesus was a resident. Their status in the community, the small size of the town, and the fact that Jesus was likely a local teacher would mean they knew each other.

It is still remarkable, however, that a summons into a very challenging ministry would be received with such willingness from the fishermen. In fact, the idea that these men were responsible for successful businesses makes it even more remarkable that they would walk away from what they were doing so readily.

Yet in all four Gospel messages we have similar stories of Jesus summoning men to follow, and the men accept the challenge without hesitation or question. And it has always fascinated me that the people Jesus called were very common people. He did not call on great speakers or those who were political powerhouses.

And all of this means to me that none of us have any excuses for not serving God. We can all say that we are too busy. But the stories clearly state that these men were engaged in their business, yet they followed. We can all say that we have no talent. But the disciples were men who had no ministry experience until Jesus gave it to them.

Just as the twelve ordinary men called to be disciples followed Jesus and worked at ministry for him, each of us is called to serve God. We are called to drop what we are doing at some point or another and do something that serves the Lord. We need not worry about what we set aside, nor do we need to worry about our qualifications. God will give us what we need when we do our work for Him.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you respond when Jesus says, “Follow me”?