#033 Four Fishermen Follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:10b-11) - Life of Christ = Week 07 - Wednesday

Calling of Peter and Andrew, James and John

Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11

^{Lk 5:1}As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret. ²He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.

Fishing on Lake Galilee

Lake Galilee in northern Palestine was the center of the commercial fishing business for the Jewish nation during New Testament times. Fresh fish were sold in the local markets. Fish were also preserved by salting, then shipped to Jerusalem in the south and even exported to major markets such as Rome.

Casting nets from small boats and pulling in the catch was hard, messy work. And there was always something for fishermen to do even when on shore—patching and washing their nets, taking care of their boats, buying supplies, and preserving the fish for shipment.

This passage from Luke shows clearly that at least four of Jesus’ twelve disciples were commercial fishermen—the brothers Peter and Andrew and the brothers James and John. Other disciples may also have been involved in the fishing business.

⁴When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵“Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.” ⁶When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. ⁷So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Depart from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” ⁹For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they took, ^10aand so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.

^10b“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people!” ¹¹Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.

Jesus in Galilee

From His headquarters city, Capernaum on Lake Galilee, Jesus traveled throughout the surrounding province of Galilee—preaching, teaching, and healing. Galilee was the most northerly of the three provinces of Palestine—Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.

In this region of the country, known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa. 9:1; Matt. 4:15), Jesus spent the first two years of His ministry. The Galileans, influenced by both Jewish and Gentile customs, were probably more open to Jesus’ message than the citizens of the southern part of the country, where the Pharisees and scribes were strong and influential.

Jesus Himself was a native of Galilee, and all His disciples except Judas were from this province. He was known as Judas Iscariot, indicating he was from the town of Kerioth in southern Judah (Luke 6:16; Josh. 15:25).

Simon, Andrew, James, and John
Matthew 4:18-22
Mark 1:16-20
Luke 5:10b, 11

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
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• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
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• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
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Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will

 1. What caused these men to immediately follow Jesus? (v. 18) What is it about Jesus that makes you follow him?

2. What are the results of the disciples following Jesus? (Later in their life)

3. How can God use you to be his fisher of men? How can you train new converts to find new seas and cast new nets where waters have never been fished before?



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As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed Him.    ‐Mark 1:16‐18   

This verse has always amazed me.  It is possible that Simon and Andrew had been eyeing Jesus for some time, allowing His words to penetrate their hearts and minds.  Undoubtedly, they were drawn to Him.  All of their pleasure of knowing Jesus came to a head right in the middle of a work day, during the peak of activity.  Jesus entered their lives not only at an inconvenient time, but also challenged them with the most life-changing decision they would ever make!  

When you ask most committed Christians how they are doing, they will likely begin hyperventilating about how busy they are.  Present an opportunity of significance and they will often say they are too busy to get involved.  Lay another’s need (Good Samaritan Parable) in front of them and it will be like the need did not exist.  

Are you too busy for God to be Lord of your life?  Are your eyes, ears, and heart pliable and tender enough to recognize God’s opportunities, leading, and work?  Do you have a heart that is sold out to God so that when He calls, you can respond as Andrew and Simon responded: “At once they left their nets and followed Him,”?  

If you want to experience God… if you want the fullness of His life in you… if you want to see His hand at work in your life… if you want to be used by Him… if you want God’s kingdom to be revealed through and around you – you must be available, usable, and obedient to His calling.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”     ‐2 Timothy 4:6‐8

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Further Reading:

The First Disciples

Further Reading:
The First Disciples