No one can serve two masters. – Matthew 6:24
Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. They had work and they had families. There were nets to mend, boats to repair, catches to sell, and tomorrow’s weather to keep them occupied. Yet, one day as they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee, a Man came along, noticed what they were doing, and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) They immediately left their nets and followed Him (v. 20). What kind of man could have that effect on them? What was it about being fishers of men that sounded worthwhile? In foretelling of Him, the prophet Isaiah said there was nothing attractive about His appearance that people should desire Him (53:2). Then what was it? The accounts of the calling of the disciples in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not say.
History records that the people of Galilee were well acquainted with the Torah. There were many rabbis in the area, each seeking followers. Jesus had already begun his ministry, so perhaps His reputation preceded Him. However, these early disciples were not religious scholars. Having begun their trade, they probably were not looking for a rabbi to follow. In Luke’s account (chapter 5), Jesus gives Peter an amazing catch of fish before He calls him. They were eye-witnesses to His authority. There was no explanation for what they had seen other than that this Man was worthy of their full focus, so they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything, and followed Him (Luke 5:11).
Leaving and following are the very things that Jesus asks of you today. What is Jesus calling you to do? There are few who are called to leave jobs and family, but in obedience to the Lord, some things in your life may have to go. Certainly, He has called you to love one another, to walk in step with Him, and to be willing to journey with Him wherever He takes you. Pray for those who have received the call to be pastors and teachers, politicians and leaders.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 4:17-22
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
