January 17 - Matthew 3-4
For the devotion today I want to focus on Matthew 4:18-22 where Jesus called His first disciples. His command was simple and straightforward - “Follow Me.” He called them in the midst of their work. They were fishermen out on the sea, casting their nets. Jesus calls out to them, “Come, follow Me.”
Christ calls people who are busy with their daily lives. He calls us in the midst of our careers and family life. He doesn’t wait for us to become highly trained or extraordinary people. Jesus chooses common, ordinary people to follow Him. This was a huge concern in my heart when God called me to preach back in the early 80s. I was very young, bashful, uneducated. I was a country boy who lived in obscurity. I could not imagine why God would call someone like me.
Who does God call? Notice what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Jesus didn’t begin His ministry in Jerusalem among the Jewish elite, but by the Sea of Galilee among ordinary fishermen. Simon and Andrew were not scholars or priests; they were fishermen - just common men doing ordinary work. That’s the kind of people Jesus is looking for to follow Him. People like you and me.
When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t suggest that they follow Him. He didn’t enter into negotiation with them about it. His command was simple and authoritative: “Follow Me.” Following Jesus meant leaving everything behind and surrendering to Him. In Luke 9:23, Jesus set the terms for discipleship “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” No fine print. No bait and switch. No promise of wealth, fame, or ease. Just deny self, take up cross, and come follow Me.
Jesus told them that He would make them “fishers of men.” They would exchange their earthly nets for spiritual ones, catching lost souls for the kingdom. Discipleship is not just about salvation; it’s about mission. To follow Jesus is about fulfilling the mission that He has for us.
Not only did they leave their nets but also their father. The call of Jesus even supersedes family ties. Discipleship requires a radical reordering of priorities. Christ must be first - above career, possessions, hobbies, and yes, even family loyalties. What are you holding onto that keeps you from absolute obedience to Jesus Christ? Career? Comfort? Relationships? Reputation? Worldly amusement? Christ commands that you drop them. The question is not whether He is calling, but whether you will respond to His call on your life.
What was their response to His call? Notice the word “immediately.” There was no delay, no time to weigh it out and think it over. They immediately laid down their nets and followed Jesus. Their nets represented livelihood, security, and identity. Yet, they laid it all down to follow Jesus. When Christ calls, delay is disobedience. Many people never follow Jesus because they put if off and wait for a “better time.” The right time to obey Jesus is always now. What will your response be?