Matthew 4:22

Saturday, 2 November 2024

 

and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matthew 4:22

 

“And they, immediately, having left the boat and their father, they followed Him” (CG)

 

The previous verse noted James and John, sons of Zebedee being in a boat with their father preparing nets. While so engaged, Jesus called them. Next, it says, “And they, immediately.”

 

It isn’t said how Jesus called them, but whatever He said, it was enough for them to act. As speculation, He could have said something like, “It is time for My ministry to begin, follow Me.” Whether the words were many or few, the reaction was immediate, and so, Matthew next records, “having left the boat and their father.”

 

Mark 1:20 adds that they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants. At least he would have some help with the rest of the day’s tasks. As for James and John, once they left the boat, it says “they followed Him.”

 

Jesus’ disciples have doubled in number in just two verses. From this point on, things will begin to grow in relation to His ministry within the land of Israel. Eventually, from this small start, the entire world will be transformed in a movement that continues to this day.

 

A question arises as to whether this is the same calling as that noted in Luke 5. The answer is “probably not.” The accounts are different in content, and Jesus was already preaching at this time. Thus, like the account of Peter and Andrew, the thought of these two men leaving everything permanently should not be pressed too hard.

 

They made a commitment to follow Jesus, but they would still return to work while in the area. This seems evident from Luke 5, but also as late as after the resurrection in John 21.

 

Life application: It is true that in Christian history, some missionaries have been called and, having departed, they never returned to their families again. But this is not a necessary condition for missionary service.

 

At any given time, there are missionaries flying overhead, returning to visit their families, going back to schools for additional training, and so forth. The disciples, some of whom were appointed as apostles, didn’t just sever family relationships, nor did they suddenly stop doing the things they once did –

 

“After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’
They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’ They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’
They answered Him, ‘No.’
6 And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” John 21:1-6

 

God calls us to Himself, but we remain the same people. Our upbringing defines us, we think the same thoughts, we continue to like the same foods, etc. The difference in our lives is to be our priority. Whatever once motivated us is to be put aside or eliminated, depending on what it was.

 

At the same time, Jesus is to become our number one priority. Nothing should interfere with our devotion to Him, but nothing inappropriate should result from our committing to Him. In other words, some people over the years have used their calling to leave their wives. This cannot be accepted, nor is there anything that would even hint at this in the Bible. For example, Luke 14:26 cannot be used to justify abandoning one’s wife.

 

The verse speaks of priorities. A man’s wife is one of his priorities. She is just not to be the primary one any longer. Jesus must come first in our lives. In placing Him first, we will actually refine our love and devotion for our wives, not abandon it.

 

Use sense when evaluating Scripture. A single verse pulled out of its intended context and then being misapplied can completely upheave sound and rational theology.

 

Lord God, may we rightly consider all things in our lives in relation to You. If we once were gluttons, when we rightly pursue You, we can still enjoy food. If we once were obsessed with money, we can still carry money in our pockets. Such things are not contrary to being devoted to You. Rather, they have found their proper place in our lives. Help us in this, O God. Amen.