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Jesus had met these two men once before, in John 1:35-51 where they discovered that He was their Messiah. It was then that they started believing in Him. It was then that they became Christians, or were born again. After believing in Him, Peter, Andrew, and John followed Jesus to Cana of Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine. From there they followed Jesus down to Jerusalem and watched Him throw the money changers out of the temple. They saw Him perform signs during the great Passover feast and they saw the response of the crowds. After Jesus spoke with Nicodemus, the disciples followed Jesus into Samaria, where He spoke with the woman at the well. And when Jesus finally returned to Galilee, scripture became silent about the disciples until now.
Capernaum was the home of Peter, Andrew, and John, as we will see later (Mark 1:29-31). But when did Peter and Andrew return home to Capernaum? We have no clue! But it is clear that they did not stay with Jesus. Just as Peter and Andrew returned home and to their boats, some believers have something more important than staying with Jesus. So Jesus has come on a personal visit to ask for something more from them.
Somewhere along the shore, Jesus saw Peter and Andrew casting a net into the water. The Greek tells us that their net was a medium size circular one with weights attached so that it would sink into the water and capture the fish beneath. The net was probably about 9 feet (2.7 m) in diameter and was usually thrown from the shore, but Peter and Andrew were in a boat throwing their nets into the water and then pulling them in to catch some fish.
Jesus walked up to them, and most likely a few minutes passed before He commanded, “Follow after Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” Why didn’t Jesus ask them to organize a study of the Torah, a choir, a healing service, or a social for the synagogue? He could have asked them to do any of those things, but Jesus was not interested in having them “do things.” Most of us are willing to do things for God. Most of us like supporting an organization, including a church, that we enjoy. Yet, how many are really willing to do whatever Jesus wants? Which describes you best?
Jesus was looking for something more than busy activity from these men. He wanted something more than just their belief. He wanted their commitment! He wanted their hearts! He wanted their total obedience! They had talked with Him before. They had traveled with Him to Cana. They believed in Him, and now they knew that Jesus wanted something more. The Light of lights wanted to see a passion in their hearts to throw out the net of salvation and catch men and women who were in darkness. And they responded immediately, “at once,” and followed Him.
Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. (NASB) Matt. 4:20; Mark 1:18 They even left their nets on the shore. That tells us that they were serious and very willing.
James and John. Then Jesus walked a little farther along the shore and found James and John, sons of Zebedee. More than likely it is late in the day, since James and John were mending their nets. The fishing for the day was probably over, and some of the broken nets were in need of repair.
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. (NASB) Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19-20a When Jesus approached them, the gospel of Mark says that Jesus commanded them to follow and immediately they did.
Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. (NASB) Mark 1:20; Matt. 4:22 The fact that their father was able to hire servants implies that they were not poor. Yet, they left it all to follow Jesus. |
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| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||
