January 11, 2010
MAN ON A MISSION
Matthew 4:12-25
Jarrad Brandt
Central Truth
Jesus is on a mission to engage the world to reveal who He is.
Key Verse | Matthew 4:19–20
And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:19-20)
Matthew 4:12-25
Jesus Begins His Ministry
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16
the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 1 4:17 Or the kingdom of heaven has come near
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 While walking 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 2 4:19 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 4:12-25
There is something inspirational and magnetic about people who are on mission. My best friend and his wife have started "Seed Effect." Their mission? To preach Christ in southern Sudan and provide microfinance opportunities for people in extreme poverty. The result? The love of Christ is shared, and hope has been ignited in a place where it didn't exist before.
Here in this great story you have four men who are fisherman. Just another day fishing in Galilee until a Man on a mission arrives, who initiates, calls out to them, and invites them to come with Him, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus is saying "lay down your nets and come, I have something far greater in store for you." Immediately, they walked away from their boat and their lives that day and followed Jesus. James and John left not only a prosperous business, but also their father.
After immediately following, what do they see? In verses 23-25 Jesus goes to teach truth everywhere, even after John the Baptist was arrested for doing the exact same thing! Jesus was on a mission, no matter what the cost, even at the expense of His own life.
In my own life, so many times I've held on to the net, thinking that is where life is found. My mission, my will, my security, my comfort, my pursuit of worldly pleasures, and my significance all take precedence when I think, "I know what's best!" I never like the results when I think that way.
I've found that I feel most alive when I "let go of the net" and follow Christ. I feel that way because that is what I was created for, to be on mission for Christ, loving God and loving others. There is no greater adventure because many don't understand the transforming power of Christ--power to change their lives forever! Our days are few. Let's embrace this opportunity to be a part of our Hero's journey.
Discussion Questions
1. Today, am I on mission for Christ?
2. How am I "holding on to the net"?
3. Does my life reflect someone who believes life is found in living for Christ?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does it mean to fish for people (verse 19)?
2. In verses 20 and 22 the men had the same response to Jesus’ call, what was it?
3. How quickly do you obey what God asks of you?