March – 31 – Called to Follow

Sunday School Lesson

March 31

Lesson 5 (KJV)

Called to Follow

 

Devotional Reading: Psalm 91

Background Scripture: Matthew 4:12–22

 

Matthew 4:12–22

12. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

 

13. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

 

14. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

 

15. The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

 

16. The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

 

17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

18. 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.

 

19. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 

20. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 

21. 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.

 

22. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

 

 

Key Verse

He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.—Matthew 4:19

 

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Recall the reason for the need to repent.

 

2. Explain the relationship between repentance and the kingdom of heaven.

 

3. Make a plan to identify a sacrifice to make for better discipleship.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Capernaum	Kuh-per-nay-um.
Esaias	E-zay-us.
Herod Antipas	Hair-ud An-tih-pus.
Naphtali	Naf-tuh-lye.
Nazareth	Naz-uh-reth.
Nephthalim	Nef-thuh-lim (th as in thin).
Sepphoris	Sef-uh-ris.
synagogue	sin-uh-gog.
Tiberius Caesar	Tie-beer-ee-us See-zer.
Zabulon	Zab-you-lon.
Zebedee	Zeb-eh-dee.
Zebulun	Zeb-you-lun.

 

Introduction

1. Be Reasonable?

In the spring of 2014, Dr. Kent Brantley went to Liberia to serve as a medical missionary. One day he woke up with the realization that he himself was about to become a patient—he had contracted the Ebola virus. His goal transitioned from saving lives for the glory of God to being a Christian example of faith whether he lived or died. “We didn’t believe that because we were going there as medical missionaries we would automatically be divinely protected from getting Ebola.”

Indeed, he was right. Far from being protected from a dread disease because he was a follower of Christ, it was the fact that he was a dedicated follower of Christ that put him in the position of contracting Ebola!

Christians are reasonable people. We are solid citizens and reliable employees and mates. We try to avoid excess in all areas of our lives. But what about the radical demands of following Jesus? Is moderation a virtue there? Have we placed “reasonable” restrictions on discipleship?

 

1. Lesson Context

The book of Matthew is commonly recognized as being “the most Jewish” of the four Gospels. This is evident from the outset in Matthew’s use of the numeric value of King David’s name as a memory device in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:17). Using more than 60 quotes from the Old Testament, Matthew explains the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection. The flight to and from Egypt is reminiscent of the nation of Israel’s enslavement in and delivery from Egypt. Herod’s opposition to Jesus mirrors that of Pharaoh to Moses. The parallels are many! Matthew notes that John the Baptist’s preaching is also according to Scripture, preparing the way for Jesus.

Matthew’s Jewishness is also evident in his use of the phrase “kingdom of heaven” rather than “kingdom of God.” The former expression occurs more than 30 times in the New Testament, and all of them are in the book of Matthew. “Kingdom of heaven” is a respectful Jewish way of saying “kingdom of God,” since God’s name was not spoken by devout Jews of the day. Other words would be substituted for the divine name so clarity would be maintained. Thus the use of the word heaven.

This is not a universal rule, since Matthew himself has at least four instances of “kingdom of God.” (There may be five, depending on how a textual variant is counted.) Even given these exceptions, the difference is striking.

Another point regarding the Jewishness of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus’ time in a wilderness, which immediately leads into today’s lesson text. The parallel is with the nation of Israel’s experience in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The 40 years of Israel’s stay is mirrored in Jesus’ stay of 40 days (Numbers 14:33, 34; Matthew 4:2). But unlike that case, Jesus did not suffer defeat as a result (compare Numbers 14:39–45). Instead, He faced Satan’s temptations victoriously, defeating him with the faithful and proper use of Scripture three times. Today’s text comes next.

 

1. Two Transitions

(Matthew 4:12, 13)

1. John in Prison (v. 12a)

12a. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison.

 

John the Baptist began his ministry “in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” (Luke 3:1–3). The issues involved in pinning down this exact year by modern reckoning are complicated. But we can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that this was AD 28. The Gospel accounts imply that Jesus’ ministry begins shortly after John’s when the fact of Jesus’ age of “about 30 years of age” is taken into account (Luke 3:23).

John’s imprisonment is also noted in Matthew 11:2; 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19, 20; John 3:24. We take care, of course, not to confuse John the Baptist with John the Evangelist, the latter being the one who writes the Gospel that bears his name.

 

1. Jesus to Capernaum (vv. 12b, 13)

12b. He departed into Galilee.

 

All four Gospels report that Jesus begins His public ministry by preaching in Galilee (Mark 1:14; Luke 4:14; John 4:3). These accounts portray Jesus as resolute. We can be sure He does not react without prayerful consideration, given the 40 days just spent in the wilderness (see the Lesson Context).

At first glance, it may appear that Jesus travels into Galilee for safety concerns. But He is not running scared. He did not run from the devil in the wilderness experience just completed (see the Lesson Context), and He doesn’t need to run from earthly authorities. In instances where He escapes danger (see Luke 4:28–30; John 8:59; 10:39), the issue is one of timing: “They sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come” (John 7:30). In this regard, the danger posed in John 10:39 presents itself anew when Jesus returns to that scene in the account beginning in John 11:7 because the time is right.

Furthermore, Galilee at this time is ruled by Herod Antipas, who will later behead John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1–11). So there is no safety there. To put it another way, if Jesus is running for His safety, He does not run far enough! The real reason for the retrograde movement to Galilee will be seen shortly.

 

13a. And leaving Nazareth.

 

There seems to be a lot left unspoken in this simple phrase. Nazareth does not have a good reputation (John 1:46). But that doesn’t seem to be the reason Jesus leaves His hometown of some three decades (Luke 2:4, 39, 51).

Perhaps divine insight causes Him to realize in advance that He will have no credibility there (compare Luke 4:16–30; John 4:44). Because of their hard-hearted rejection of the man who grew up among them, the people of Nazareth will not see their town become the center of His ministry (see Matthew 13:53–58). Even so, “of Nazareth” becomes part of Jesus’ identity (Matthew 26:71; etc.).

 

What Do You Think? Were someone to quote the old axiom “Bloom where you’re planted” to convince you not to move, how should you respond, if at all?   Digging Deeper Which biblical figures influence you most in forming your answer? Why?

13b. He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.

 

Capernaum is a typical working-class village of the era. One estimate puts its population at about 1,500. Sited in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, it is about 20 miles northeast of Nazareth. Zabulon and Nephthalim are regions named for two of the sons of Jacob (see Genesis 30:8; 35:23, where the names are spelled Zebulun and Naphtali). The borders of their land grant go back to the days of Joshua (Joshua 19:10–16, 32–39).

If there ever was a backwater place in the Roman Empire, this is it! It is possible that many first-century readers of Matthew are not even aware of this little fishing village. Although mentioned by name 16 times in the four Gospels (and nowhere else), it is not nearly as significant as Jerusalem, Sepphoris, Tiberius, or, of course, Rome.

Yet Jesus chooses insignificant Capernaum as the base of operations from which to launch His public ministry. John 2:12 notes that after the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, Jesus returns to Capernaum, not Nazareth, with “his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples.”

Our expanded look at Capernaum serves at least two purposes. First, the role the village is about to play is witnessed by an intertextual bond with the book of Isaiah (see below). Second, the early mention of Capernaum creates context for first-century readers who may not know anything about the village.

Regarding Jesus himself, He is a nobody by outward appearance (Isaiah 53:2). He was not born in a palace, but in a shelter for livestock (Luke 2:7). His hometown is not magnificent Jerusalem, but the middle-of-nowhere village of Nazareth‌—‌a village with a less than sterling reputation (John 1:46). He was born to poor parents (compare Luke 2:22–24; Leviticus 12:1–8). His early experience was as a refugee in Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15). When His parents returned with Him to Nazareth, He experienced life as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). His life has been one shared by common humanity.

1. One Light

 

(Matthew 4:14–17)

1. Prophecy’s Fulfillment (v. 14)
2. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying

 

Esaias the prophet is probably more familiar to us as Isaiah. His prophetic ministry lasted from roughly 740 to 680 BC. The four Gospels quote from the book of Isaiah more than 20 times. The book’s vital prophecies of the coming Messiah has earned it the designation “the fifth Gospel” to many Bible students. Regarding Matthew’s respect for and use of the Hebrew Scriptures, see the Lesson Context.

 

1. Fulfillment’s Result (vv. 15, 16)
2. The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

 

The quotation is from Isaiah 9:1, 2. The phrase Galilee of the Gentiles recognizes that that region had been conquered by foreigners as the 10 northern tribes were taken into exile in 722 BC. To see and hear the ancient tribal names Zabulon and Nephthalim is to revive hope in the promises of God. What may at first glance look like a retreat to a supposedly safer territory is actually a full-throated rally with language rooted deeply in the narrative of a just and merciful God. He is the one who rescues!

Light in a Dark Place

Richard Wurmbrand (1909–2001) is remembered as the twentieth century’s voice of the persecuted church. He began an underground church movement in Romania as part of protest against the government’s control of churches. His subsequent imprisonment totaled 14 years.

He spent several of those years in solitary confinement. His dark, windowless cell, 12 feet underground, was designed to cut him off completely from the outside world. But Wurmbrand refused to let himself be overcome by that darkness.

After his release, Wurmbrand dedicated his life to exposing the brutal persecution of believers in Communist countries. He wrote 18 books in English, testified before the Internal Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate, and began the organization now known as Voice of the Martyrs. The imprisonment meant to silence Wurmbrand only increased his influence.

This same irony is true in the life of John the Baptist. Herod’s attempt to silence John only served to signal the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. His earthly ministry has now passed to us. What darkness are you helping overcome today?

—J. E.

What Do You Think? How will you use Isaiah 9:1, 2, if at all, when witnessing for Jesus to someone who has never even heard of Isaiah? Digging Deeper Consider which parts of Paul’s evangelistic approach in Acts 17:22–32 are relevant in a modern context in this regard.

1. What Must Happen (v. 17a)

17a. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent.

 

The exact amount of time that passes between when Jesus settles into Capernaum and when He begins to preach is unspecified. Furthermore, Matthew is quite succinct in reviewing the content of Jesus’ preaching.

 

What Jesus expects as a result of His preaching is summed up in the single word repent. When we see that word, our first thought (which is not wrong) may be to think in terms of leaving a life of sin (John 8:11; etc.) and embracing righteousness (Matthew 3:8; etc.). More foundationally, repentance is grounded in a change of thought and heart (compare 1 Kings 8:47–50; Matthew 3:9; Acts 8:20–22; etc.). Sincere changes in behavior result from changes in heart.

 

1. Why It Must Happen (v. 17b)

17b. For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

The requirement to repent is immediately backed up with the reason we see here. But this raises three questions: (1) What exactly is the kingdom of heaven? (2) What does the phrase at hand mean? and (3) What does each phrase signify in relation to the other?

The kingdom of heaven refers to the fulfillment of God’s promise to reverse the course of history, a history tainted by sin. That reversal involves establishing His reign in place of the tyrannous, selfish reign of sin and death (Romans 5:14, 21). It is a kingdom, as Jesus later told Pilate, that “is not of this world” (John 18:36).

God, of course, has never ceased to reign over the entire universe since its creation. Therefore His rule has always included planet Earth and its kingdoms (Isaiah 37:16; Romans 13:1). Forces both physical and spiritual in nature have set up reigns and realms that have opposed His rule (Ephesians 6:12; etc.). God uses these for His purposes (Isaiah 7:18–25; John 19:11; etc.) and assigns them to the garbage heap of history and eternity as He wills (Isaiah 10:5–19; Daniel 2:40–43; 4:35; 7:7, 20–25; Luke 10:18; Revelation 21:8; etc.). History as it has unfolded since the days of Jesus reveals that the kingdom He announces supplants all others, but not in the way anyone in the first century AD supposes.

For Jesus’ audience, God’s promise of a kingdom to come includes a strong nationalistic focus on Israel. Devout Jews expect God’s promised kingdom to result in the defeat of Israel’s enemies, with the Roman Empire especially in the cross hairs (compare Acts 1:6). God’s kingdom, in other words, is commonly expected to be political and military in nature like any other, with the exception that it is to be ruled righteously by, and in submission to, God.

A primary way Jesus will challenge this expectation as His ministry unfolds is through parables (see, for example, lesson 1 of this quarter). These project a very different vision of God’s promised kingdom than commonly anticipated.

 

What Do You Think? What steps can your church take to help its members avoid equating allegiance to any particular nation with allegiance to the kingdom of Heaven?   Digging Deeper Consider nationalistic errors such as the phrase Gott mit uns (“God with us”) as inscribed on German equipment during World War II.

The exact meaning of the verb that is translated at hand (along with its closely related adverb form) is the subject of much debate. One clear way it is used in the New Testament is to specify that something is physically near, or getting nearer to, something else (examples: Matthew 21:1; Luke 24:28; John 6:19). This is known as a spatial sense. Another unmistakable way the word is used is in referring to something that is near, or getting nearer, in time (examples: Matthew 21:34; 26:18; John 6:4). This is known as a temporal sense. A possible third meaning-usage speaks of closeness of a relationship (examples: Romans 10:8; Ephesians 2:13, 17; James 4:8). This may be called a relational sense.

All may be true for the case at hand. Wherever Jesus is, the kingdom is. Those standing near Jesus are standing next to the perfect embodiment (incarnation) of the kingdom of Heaven. He has come in “the fulness of the time” (Galatians 4:4) to put right our relationship with God (4:5). Thus the spatial, the temporal, and the relational senses all have support. We also may discern the idea of spiritual proximity in Luke 17:20, 21.

In the person of Jesus, the kingdom of Heaven is nearer than it ever has been. It is coming in a power that does not reflect the power of human kingdoms that wax and wane. Rather, the kingdom of Heaven will redefine what power means.

 

Home Transitions

As baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) reach retirement age, they face the realization of necessary change. Never fear, however: companies such as Close at Hand Home Transitions are dedicated to helping make the necessary adjustments as boomers embrace the next phase of life.

For those choosing to downsize their living arrangements, Close at Hand helps draw up a new floor plan, determines what furniture will fit, oversees movers, sets up new utility and subscription services, etc. The service only works, however, for folks who are not in denial regarding their changing needs.

As Jesus began His ministry, He challenged those who would listen that a new living arrangement was at hand: residency in the kingdom of Heaven. Listeners were free either to accept or deny the reality of that statement. Those who accepted it had did so by repenting. Making the transition to become a resident of the kingdom of Heaven is only preparatory to another transition, however. That further and final transition is set forth in John 14:2, 3. We might say that Jesus is the original and ultimate “close at hand home transition” company. And He charges nothing for His services!

—J. E.

 

III. Four Responses

(Matthew 4:18–22)

1. Simon Peter and Andrew (vv. 18–20)

18–20. 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.

 

See the commentary on Mark 1:16–18 in lesson 2, pages 243, 244. To that we may add that Simon called Peter, and Andrew and the two mentioned next are models of discipleship as they set the positive example of responding to Jesus’ call straightway (contrast Matthew 8:21, 22). Another way to translate the Greek word behind straightway is “immediately,” which is exactly what verse 22, below, does.

 

1. James and John (vv. 21, 22)

21, 22. 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.

 

See the commentary on Mark 1:19, 20 in lesson 2, page 244.

 

What Do You Think? Were you to perceive a call from Christ to a certain ministry tomorrow, how would you test the validity of that call?   Digging Deeper How will you know whether God is calling you to immediate action vs. to a ministry that involves a degree of delay? Consider in your response the urgencies (or lack thereof) in Luke 9:59–62 and John 11:6.

Conclusion

1. Boat Time, Dock Time

When Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James, and John to join His ministry, He was inviting men who knew the importance of both the boat-time activity of casting nets (Matthew 4:18) and the dock-time activity of preparing those nets to be cast (4:21). Effective ministry today must recognize the same distinction. What Christians see and hear in half-hour sermons is boat time, when their minister is casting a net. Undergirding that boat time is (or should be) a lot of dock time—time spent preparing. Sermons that lack adequate dock time of preparation will be ineffective.

We can expand this analogy to the life of any Christian. When the opportunity to speak a word for Jesus presents itself, will we have put in the necessary dock time so that word will be persuasive (see 1 Peter 3:15)?

The analogy applies also to vocation changes. Would you consider leaving one career for another in order to follow Jesus more closely? Or will you hurriedly think I have to provide for my family, or I’m worse than an infidel! to dismiss such a possibility immediately (1 Timothy 5:8).

Consider how today’s world might look if the four disciples of today’s lesson had said no. They received no assurance that their families would be adequately provided for, but they had no higher priority than Jesus’ call on their lives (compare Matthew 19:27; Luke 5:28; 9:59–62). What about you?

 

What Do You Think? What is one transition you need to make (and perhaps have been putting off) in order to serve Christ better?   Digging Deeper In addition to the transitions made by the first four disciples, consider how the transitions in these passages influence your response: Genesis 12:4; 31:3; Exodus 3; Nehemiah 1, 2; Acts 8:26; 9:15; 26:15, 16.

1. Prayer

Father, strengthen us to follow Your Son without reserve. Give us ears to hear His call and a willingness to follow Him no matter the cost. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

1. Thought to Remember

Following Jesus is our highest priority.

 

 

Kid’s Corner

Prepared to Proclaim the Gospel

March 31, 2019

Matthew 4:12-22

  

Matthew 4:12-22

(Matthew 4:12) Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;

 

John the Baptist was arrested for preaching about King Herod’s immoral behavior. John’s preaching of preparation for Jesus’ coming ended after he was arrested. Before John the Baptist was arrested, some of John’s disciples went to talk to Jesus. He taught them and He would later officially call some of them to become His disciples and fish for men (see John 1:35-42). After Jesus withdrew to Galilee, He began His public preaching. He did not begin His ministry in Galilee to escape Herod or the possibility of arrest, but as the place where He would fulfill Scripture, officially call His first disciples, preach, work miracles (such as changing water into wine) and heal people of all their diseases.

 

(Matthew 4:13) and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

 

Jesus left Nazareth, where people would have known Him only as Joseph’s son and presumably a carpenter. He moved to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee (a large freshwater lake that Luke calls the Lake of Gennesaret—Luke 5:1). Jesus probably made certain His mother would be cared for by His brothers before He left. To fulfill Scripture, Jesus needed to begin His new life and vocation in Galilee of the Gentiles. Capernaum was near the Jordan River, where Jesus may have visited John the Baptist and his disciples more than once during John’s ministry, where John baptized Jesus, and where Jesus met Simon Peter and Andrew.

 

(Matthew 4:14) This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

 

Jesus conducted His ministry with intention; nothing happened to Him by chance. Jesus chose to fulfill the law and the prophets by beginning His public ministry in Galilee to fulfill the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 9:1,2). In addition to His powerful preaching and many miracles, one reason we know Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God is from His intentional fulfillment of so many prophecies in the Old Testament.

 

(Matthew 4:15) “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES—

 

The land of Zebulun was named after the tenth son of Jacob. Zebulun was in Galilee and occupied south Galilee between Naphtali and Asher. Jonah was from Zebulun. Many Israelites from Zebulun were carried into captivity and dispersed among other nations by the Assyrians when they conquered the Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. Following their deportation, the Assyrians moved people from many other nations into the former Kingdom of Israel until eventually more Gentiles lived in Galilee than Israelites (or Jews). Because of the history of the Kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom), parts of which became Galilee, many Gentiles lived there, and the people and the area were despised by the Jews who lived in the Kingdom of Judah (the southern kingdom). Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth was located within the borders of Zebulun. Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob. The land of Naphtali was located west of the Sea of Galilee, where the city of Capernaum was located. As part of the former Kingdom of Israel, Naphtali also included many Gentiles. During His lifetime, Jesus lived within the borders of both Zebulun and Naphtali.

 

(Matthew 4:16) “THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

 

Led by the kings of Israel, the people of the Kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom) turned to darkness (evil) and idol worship, and the people remained in darkness (a land of evil) until Jesus began to preach. When the ten tribes of Israel were dispersed in 722 BC, those who remained were afflicted and influenced even more by those the Assyrians moved into the former Kingdom of Israel who did evil and worshiped idols. All the people lived in spiritual darkness, for most of them had turned from the worship of the true God many generations earlier. They lived in the shadow of spiritual and physical death. If some true believers lived in Galilee (such as Mary and Joseph and their children), they suffered from the evil deeds and the spiritual darkness created by their pagan neighbors. Even as many believers suffer today in countries that are becoming increasingly spiritually dark. As Isaiah prophesied, when Jesus began to preach, they heard the truth and saw truth in action. Those enslaved by sin and evil powers lived under a sentence of death until Jesus preached the truth about God and God’s Kingdom to them and they repented of their sins and turned to faith in Him. Jesus healed all their diseases and cast out their demons as signs that the kingdom of heaven was near. The Light of the world dawned on them.

 

(Matthew 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached repentance: people should turn from walking away from God to walking toward God in faithful obedience to God. John called people to repent and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus called people to repent because as the Messiah (King), the Kingdom of heaven was at hand or in their midst. As the Son of God, Jesus performed the works of God and declared the truth of God. Jesus’ kingdom was not a kingdom of this world, but a spiritual kingdom of eternal love, justice, peace, and joy that people could enter when they believed in Him.

 

(Matthew 4:18) 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.

 

Having spoken to Jesus earlier, after John the Baptist had introduced Peter and Andrew to Jesus, with sound reason they knew enough about Jesus when He called them to follow Jesus immediately—though they did not know all that Jesus meant when He called them into His service. They served Jesus faithfully all their lives and tradition tells us that both Peter and Andrew were crucified because they were followers of Jesus and ministered in Jesus’ Name.

 

(Matthew 4:19) And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

Though they did not know all that Jesus meant, they knew that they could catch a lot fish with their nets. Therefore, as followers of Jesus, they eventually learned how to “catch a lot of people”—lead them to saving faith in Jesus—by telling them the truth about Jesus. Through their teaching, many repented of their sins and entered the kingdom of God. What Jesus did to, in, and through them far exceeded their expectations.

 

(Matthew 4:20) Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

 

Without needing to know everything about the future Jesus planned for them, they immediately left their past vocation as fishermen behind them and began a new vocation that Jesus planned for them. Though they did return to fishing for fish from time to time. They trusted Jesus to meet their needs as they followed Him, and He did so as He gave them the benefits of eternal life—beginning in this life.

 

(Matthew 4:21) 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.

 

James and John were fishing partners of Peter and Andrew (see Luke 5:10). They could work together and catch more fish when they dropped a net between their two boats. Therefore, we know that Jesus chose four disciples who knew how to cooperate and work together to achieve their goals and meet the needs of their families and others. If Peter and Andrew had not led James and John to meet Jesus earlier, they had surely told them all they knew about Jesus after they met Him. They had probably located their partnership businesses close to each other, and they would have had much time to talk about Jesus as they were fishing or mending their nets. They would have discussed Jesus with their families, so their families may not have been too surprised when they left their nets to follow Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, James was eventually beheaded. John would live into old age having written his gospel, three letters in the Bible, and the Book of Revelation

 

(Matthew 4:22) Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

 

James and John also immediately obeyed Jesus—not as a blind leap of faith without knowledge—but knowing some truths about Jesus before He called them to follow Him. As Messiah (King), Jesus had the divine authority and power to call whomever He chose into His service. In addition to their knowing some truths about Jesus, the loving power and divine authority of Jesus influenced them to obey Jesus immediately. Today, believers follow Jesus for the same reasons (and today believers have the whole Bible) and (though imperfectly) as the direction of their lives they obey Jesus immediately.

 

 

Prepared to Proclaim the Gospel

March 31, 2019

Matthew 4:12-22

 

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17).

 

To prepare his listeners for the coming of the Messiah, John the Baptist preached repentance for sins. People needed to turn their lives around and begin seeking the LORD seriously. They needed to stop doing what dishonored God, harmed others, and would eventually destroy themselves. If they would heed John’s teaching, they would prepare themselves in heart and mind to understand and apply the truths Jesus came to reveal. After John the Baptist introduced some of his disciples to Jesus, the Lamb of God, Jesus taught them quietly. In this way, Peter, Andrew, and some others first met Jesus. After Herod arrested John the Baptist, Jesus began His public ministry as the Messiah. When Jesus began to preach and heal in Galilee and Capernaum, He fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. When Jesus preached repentance and added “because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” He fulfilled John’s preaching of preparation. The Kingdom of Heaven came near whenever Jesus the King (Messiah) was in their midst, near at hand. Then, Jesus officially called some of those He had prepared previously to come and follow Him, to become His disciples (students). The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us that Jesus first called fishermen to follow Him so He could teach them how to fish for people. Having been prepared in advance by Jesus’ teachings and having seen many of His miracles, whenever Jesus called them to come and follow Him, they did so immediately with good and sufficient reasons. Jesus taught them how to win followers to Him, and after Jesus’ resurrection, they led thousands to kneel before Jesus the King.

 

 

Thinking Further

Prepared to Proclaim the Gospel

March 31, 2019

Matthew 4:12-22

Name _________________________________

 

1. When and why did Jesus begin His ministry in Galilee?

 

 

2. Do you think beginning a ministry in Galilee would be easy or difficult? Give a reason for your answer.

 

 

3. Do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John knew much about Jesus when He called them to follow Him? Why or why not?

 

 

4. Why do you think Jesus called some fishermen to follow Him?

 

 

5. How was Jesus’ preaching like John’s preaching? How is preaching different from their preaching today?

 

 

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further

 

1. When and why did Jesus begin His ministry in Galilee? He began after John the Baptist was arrested and to fulfill the prediction of the prophet Isaiah.

 

2. Do you think beginning a ministry in Galilee would be easy or difficult? Give a reason for your answer. On the one hand, it could be easy because some of those living in darkness would see a great light (a great contrast between good and evil) and they would be drawn to the light. On the other hand, it could be difficult, because almost immediately those who preferred living in the dark and doing evil would oppose the light and those drawn to the light. As happened to John the Baptist when King Herod arrested him and later beheaded him.

 

3. Do you think Peter, Andrew, James, and John knew much about Jesus when He called them to follow Him? Why or why not? Yes. Because prior to the arrest of John the Baptist, he introduced Peter and Andrew to Jesus who went to learn from Jesus.

 

4. Why do you think Jesus called some fishermen to follow Him? The ones he chose knew how to work together with others as partners and that would help them be good disciples and work together with the other disciples. They knew how to meet the needs of others and sell to others what they needed. This, too, would help them know how to tell others about Jesus and how Jesus was the Savior of the world.

 

5. How was Jesus’ preaching like John’s preaching? How is preaching different from their preaching today? Both preached repentance for sins. John preached to prepare people for Jesus’ coming as the Messiah. Jesus preached to prepare people to live in the Kingdom of God with Him as the long-awaited Messiah (King). They both emphasized repentance along with faith in God.

 

 

Word Search

Prepared to Proclaim the Gospel

March 31, 2019

Matthew 4:12-22

Name _______________________________

 

F L X I K D E L L I F L U F T

A D E M V I B A R R E S T E D

S Y N H O J N W Q N E V A E H

Q C X J G S F G F T L M U S C

A H Q D N J W A D C K H B F N

M X T J R I O M G O R V T A K

O C S E S E T R Q H M C P Q D

G B A A R E P K D J K H S C A

U A I P H A R E N A T W E G R

C A L P E S Z U N A N A L C I

H V O I U R L A L T O S I G A

M R U S L U N I N S W L T D W

P Z E R B E L A E X D K N G Q

K J D E L M E F U J Z R E V C

A R Z K C Z V B E M W T G N B

 

John

Arrested

Galilee

Nazareth

Capernaum

Zebulun

Naphtali

Prophet

Isaiah

Fulfilled

Jordan

Gentiles

Repent

Kingdom

Heaven

 

 

True and False Test

Prepared to Proclaim the Gospel

March 31, 2019

Matthew 4:12-22

Name __________________________________

 

1. Jesus began preaching to large crowds right after John baptized Him. True or False

 

2. Before Jesus began preaching, His hometown was Nazareth. True or False

 

3. After John was arrested, Jesus moved to Capernaum. True or False

 

4. When Jesus preached in Galilee of the Judeans, He fulfilled the prophecy of Amos. True or False

 

5. Jesus’ preaching could be compared to a light shining in a place of darkness. True or False

 

6. Jesus preached to people who lived in the shadow of death. True or False

 

7. No Gentiles were permitted to live in the land of Naphtali. True or False

 

8. Simon and Peter and James and John were four fishermen. True or False

 

9. Fishers of men became leaders in the Church. True or False

 

10. James and John were the sons of Zebulun. True or False

 

 

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. True
10. False

 

 

Prayer

Father, strengthen us to follow Your Son without reserve. Give us ears to hear His call and a willingness to follow Him no matter the cost. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.