Why Jesus Called Men
APRIL 30, 2015 (ENGLISH)
Bible Text: Matthew 4:19 | Dr. Harold J. Sala
Series: The Guidelines Commentary
NOTES
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
As the morning light pierced the eastern sky over the little village of Bethsaida at the northern end of Galilee, two brothers arose from their pallets, ate a light breakfast—probably fish and bread—and headed for the boats. We know them as Peter and Andrew, and if this sleepy pair thought, “Another day fishing!”, little did they know how the events of that particular day were going to forever change the direction of their life.
They had no sooner thrown their net into the water when a stranger, dressed in a seamless Galilean robe, walked by. He saw the two brothers and said, “Follow me!” It was both an invitation and a command. They knew that this one who summoned them was an itinerant rabbi who had been visiting synagogues in Galilee and who also stirred up considerable controversy.
But when Jesus called these two, there was an immediate connection, and they walked away from their nets to follow Him. Later that morning Jesus recruited another set of brothers, James and John, from the same village, in all probability acquaintances if not friends of Peter and Andrew.
But what was it that was so compelling? The tone of His voice? His eyes which could reflect the kindness that caused a child to respond or flash fire that caused others to cringe? Was it His compelling personality? Or was there something, perhaps deep in their hearts, that made them ponder the possibility that this was the Messiah who would throw off the tyranny of Rome?
Notice, if you would, that five men are involved in this drama which took place on the shores of Galilee long ago—Jesus, and two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew, and James and John. In the months that followed, Jesus recruited another eight men to be part of that executive committee, that inner circle of ordinary men, following an extraordinary person. We call them Apostles.
Observe that there was not a woman among them. Does that seem strange? For a few moments focus with me on what makes you either masculine or feminine. About six weeks following conception the hypothalamus gland in your brain kicks into gear and sends signals to your body which says, “Turn the testosterone loose.” “Or open the faucet on estrogen,” and whichever hormone it is makes you completely masculine or feminine.
Scientists in the laboratory have discovered that there are basic differences between the brains of males and females, and it is your brain that determines how you think, and how you think determines how you act. It’s been interesting to note that at the very time feminists have been trying to wipe out sexual differences, scientists have been discovering how different we really are.
Men are aggressive by nature; women are nurturing or compliant. Neither is better than the other, just different. It was God’s purpose for a husband and wife to come together and become one flesh, yet, as Zig Zigler points out, “You can’t have a parade of two cars until you decide which one will lead the parade.”
When men follow in the footsteps of Him who beckoned the four fishermen brothers, women will walk hand in hand with them, side by side, and they won’t have to worry about the next generation. They will follow in their footsteps.
The reality is that the words of Jesus continue to echo through the corridors of time, and He still summons men to follow Him. Why follow Him? Simple! When you follow, you get to know Him, and when you know Him, you will love Him, and when you love Him, you obey him, and that includes leading your family and loving your wife as He loved the church. That’s enough love to satisfy any woman. Think about it.
Resource reading: Matthew 4:18-22
As the morning light pierced the eastern sky over the little village of Bethsaida at the northern end of Galilee, two brothers arose from their pallets, ate a light breakfast—probably fish and bread—and headed for the boats. We know them as Peter and Andrew, and if this sleepy pair thought, “Another day fishing!”, little did they know how the events of that particular day were going to forever change the direction of their life.
They had no sooner thrown their net into the water when a stranger, dressed in a seamless Galilean robe, walked by. He saw the two brothers and said, “Follow me!” It was both an invitation and a command. They knew that this one who summoned them was an itinerant rabbi who had been visiting synagogues in Galilee and who also stirred up considerable controversy.
But when Jesus called these two, there was an immediate connection, and they walked away from their nets to follow Him. Later that morning Jesus recruited another set of brothers, James and John, from the same village, in all probability acquaintances if not friends of Peter and Andrew.
But what was it that was so compelling? The tone of His voice? His eyes which could reflect the kindness that caused a child to respond or flash fire that caused others to cringe? Was it His compelling personality? Or was there something, perhaps deep in their hearts, that made them ponder the possibility that this was the Messiah who would throw off the tyranny of Rome?
Notice, if you would, that five men are involved in this drama which took place on the shores of Galilee long ago—Jesus, and two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew, and James and John. In the months that followed, Jesus recruited another eight men to be part of that executive committee, that inner circle of ordinary men, following an extraordinary person. We call them Apostles.
Observe that there was not a woman among them. Does that seem strange? For a few moments focus with me on what makes you either masculine or feminine. About six weeks following conception the hypothalamus gland in your brain kicks into gear and sends signals to your body which says, “Turn the testosterone loose.” “Or open the faucet on estrogen,” and whichever hormone it is makes you completely masculine or feminine.
Scientists in the laboratory have discovered that there are basic differences between the brains of males and females, and it is your brain that determines how you think, and how you think determines how you act. It’s been interesting to note that at the very time feminists have been trying to wipe out sexual differences, scientists have been discovering how different we really are.
Men are aggressive by nature; women are nurturing or compliant. Neither is better than the other, just different. It was God’s purpose for a husband and wife to come together and become one flesh, yet, as Zig Zigler points out, “You can’t have a parade of two cars until you decide which one will lead the parade.”
When men follow in the footsteps of Him who beckoned the four fishermen brothers, women will walk hand in hand with them, side by side, and they won’t have to worry about the next generation. They will follow in their footsteps.
The reality is that the words of Jesus continue to echo through the corridors of time, and He still summons men to follow Him. Why follow Him? Simple! When you follow, you get to know Him, and when you know Him, you will love Him, and when you love Him, you obey him, and that includes leading your family and loving your wife as He loved the church. That’s enough love to satisfy any woman. Think about it.
Resource reading: Matthew 4:18-22
DUX THOUGHTS:
God was not being unfair when He instructed wives to submit to their husbands. God being perfect knew what's best for His creation. We do not need to extra analyze things because life is way better if we simply TRUST and OBEY God.
No one could blame me if would desire for a man after God's own heart. Like king David, perfection is not a requirement to earn God's favor. What David has was a repentant heart and all his victories came forth because he sought to the face of the Lord. On the other hand, all of his defeats were fruits of going ahead of God and disobedience to His commands.
David and Bathsheba had a bad start, they were involved in an adulterous relationship which even led David to commit murder against Uriah (Bathsheba's husband). David commanded his general Joab to put Uriah on the first line of the defense so that Uriah would be struck and die during the battle. The child born out of that sinful union died.
Nathan confronted David of his sin and David wholeheartedly repented of his sin.
Notice how the story went on, Bathsheba was the mother of Solomon, the wisest man and king on earth before Christ. This wise KING whose other name is King Lemuel wrote a good account of his mother found in Proverbs 31.
Yes folks, the virtuous wife in proverbs 31 was no other than BATHSHEBA.
When a man who is bound to lead his family has a repentant heart and is devoted in seeking the Lord's face in his decision-makings and desires would most probably produce a good family where wisdom, favor and joy dwell. More so if this godly man is paired to a godly woman.It is not a perfect union but is a blessed union and the most important thing, God is glorified in there relationship.
RESOURCE: 2 Samuel chap 11-12
Acts 13:22
Acts 13:22
And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse,a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
God knows everything. He knew David will fall into sin but He still chose him to lead his people and from whose lineage Jesus will come forth. Despite David's imperfection, God called him to be A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART.
I could relate to David and Bathsheba's journey.
If i recall it right, it was around July of 2004 that I first attended a midweek bible study at Calvary Chapel Iloilo then it took me almost 2 months before I finally decided to join the Sunday fellowship. Then I regularly show up on prayer meetings and I did not miss the Youth fellowship when the church had one sometime during the 2nd semester.
Counting it correctly, I was in constant fellowship and fully immersed in bible studies for 7 months before I threw the white towel.Though I heard the truth, I was worshiping Jesus and was being transformed each day of my life then BUT still I took a long time until I finally decided to surrender everything to God!
I sang in my heart that I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK only on the 8th month since I heard the truth. I may be growing in my knowledge of His truth and grace but there must be a point where I should decide with what to do with all that I know. The moment of total commitment to live for him was made on that particular day and that day changed my forever.
It was more than accepting Christ as my personal Savior but a commitment to spend the rest of my life seeking His will in my life. It was more than enjoying His goodness but sharing it too to others. It was more than receiving His blessings but constantly desiring how to return the favor and put a smile on His face.
I took 7 long months (February 2005) before I surrendered all and I am glad that I am on the same road even after a decade when I made that lifelong commitment to love the Lord with ALL my heart, mind, soul and strength.
By God's grace, this growing relationship I have with Him will continue to be stronger as time passes by and may all the people I meet along would desire the same.
Bahala na matagal basta magtatagal :-)
I could relate to David and Bathsheba's journey.
If i recall it right, it was around July of 2004 that I first attended a midweek bible study at Calvary Chapel Iloilo then it took me almost 2 months before I finally decided to join the Sunday fellowship. Then I regularly show up on prayer meetings and I did not miss the Youth fellowship when the church had one sometime during the 2nd semester.
Counting it correctly, I was in constant fellowship and fully immersed in bible studies for 7 months before I threw the white towel.Though I heard the truth, I was worshiping Jesus and was being transformed each day of my life then BUT still I took a long time until I finally decided to surrender everything to God!
I sang in my heart that I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK only on the 8th month since I heard the truth. I may be growing in my knowledge of His truth and grace but there must be a point where I should decide with what to do with all that I know. The moment of total commitment to live for him was made on that particular day and that day changed my forever.
It was more than accepting Christ as my personal Savior but a commitment to spend the rest of my life seeking His will in my life. It was more than enjoying His goodness but sharing it too to others. It was more than receiving His blessings but constantly desiring how to return the favor and put a smile on His face.
I took 7 long months (February 2005) before I surrendered all and I am glad that I am on the same road even after a decade when I made that lifelong commitment to love the Lord with ALL my heart, mind, soul and strength.
By God's grace, this growing relationship I have with Him will continue to be stronger as time passes by and may all the people I meet along would desire the same.
Bahala na matagal basta magtatagal :-)
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