Devotion • September 27
Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 4:18–25
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (NRSV)
Reflection
When I first read this passage, I was pleased to be reflecting on a familiar story from the Gospel of Matthew. I now confess that I have come up with so many questions about this text that I fear I have very little to offer anyone else who might be reflecting on this passage.
Who were these men recruited by Jesus, really? Was their selection as random as it appears, or did Jesus have divine knowledge of their capacity for ministry? The text says, “at once they left their nets” and “immediately they left the boat” and followed him.
Did they ever head home to tell their families of this calling, or did they literally drop everything in that moment and hit the road with Jesus? Did Zebedee, the father of James and John, watch in silence as his sons left him to follow this stranger, or did he protest? How tall was Jesus? How deep and resonant was his voice? What was it about him that eventually compelled 12 grown men to leave the lives they knew to that point? How deeply were they affected as they watched Jesus heal those who were brought to him?
As my pondering continued, my questions became more personal. Would I have felt the same urge to follow Jesus as Peter or James? Would I have had the courage to say “yes” if asked? Could I have stayed awake to pray for Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane? And if asked, would I have denied knowing him when the fulfillment of his ministry took its violent turn?
The gospels record several instances in which Jesus expresses frustration with his followers. Yet, despite the disciples’ shortcomings, Jesus, nevertheless, called them his friends and protected them at the time of his arrest.
I obviously don’t have any real answers to the questions that occurred to me as I studied this text. But as I have considered these questions regarding Jesus’ calling the disciples into service, I can only conclude that fallible human beings have always been God’s primary tools in ministering to the needs of a hurting world. And even as fallible human beings, all modern-day believers are called “heirs” to a life with Christ for our imperfect, but faithful discipleship. How it is that we stand to inherit such an incomprehensible gift of grace is perhaps the biggest question of all.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for calling us out of the “boats” of our lives and into a life of service with you. Give us the courage and faith to serve those of our time as your first followers did in theirs. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
Written by John Marr, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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