INVITATION
Matthew 4:12–25
Starting Out (12–17)
In our passage for today, Jesus is beginning His three-year public ministry following His temptation in the wilderness.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. You might remember the derogatory question, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Jesus left Nazareth after John, his cousin, was imprisoned by Herod. He headed north to the lakeside town of Capernaum in an area that once was called Zebulun and Naphtali.
Again, Matthew is showing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. He quotes Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.”
That northern area in Israel was far away from Jerusalem, far from the temple. The population had intermarried with conquering armies and was considered less than orthodox. It is to these downcast and downtrodden people that Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, brought His message.
The message Jesus proclaims is that the Kingdom of God is at hand. We define the term “the Kingdom of God” as the rule and reign of God on the earth.
Calling Out (18–22)
Capernaum is a lovely town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was walking along the shore and encountered two sets of brothers. These men made their living by fishing on the Sea of Galilee.
First, he sees Andrew and Simon Peter and calls them to follow Him. In the Gospel of John, Andrew first encounters Jesus and then goes and gets his brother, Peter, and tells him about Jesus. Later, Jesus encounters the sons of Zebedee — James and John — who were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus. He calls them to follow Him.
Two of my favorite terms in the gospels are the words “suddenly” and “immediately.” That is always a possibility when Jesus is involved. And here we see these fishermen and their immediate response to His call.
Verses 20 and 22 tell us that they immediately left their nets and boats and followed Jesus. These men who had made their living on the lake were now called to be fishers of men.
What is Jesus calling you to lay aside so that you can be His follower?
Reaching Out (23–25)
Jesus traveled around the Sea of Galilee spreading a message of repentance. In this way, He was echoing the message of his cousin John the Baptist. However, there was also something different about Him.
Jesus was performing miracles and healing the sick. His fame spread far and wide. Everywhere He went, He told people about the Kingdom and about God’s plan for His world. He spoke as One having authority. He had an intimacy with the Father that drew people to Himself. His message was not limited to the Jews. People came from all over the area to hear His teachings.
We sing the hymn, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.” Is that your commitment today?
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
