Jesus Calls His Disciples

Background Scripture: John 1:35-51
Lesson Scripture: John 1:35-39, 43; Matthew 4:18-22

Introduction

Jesus’s call to each one is precious and personal. Part of the realization that comes with hearing his call is Christ’s unconditional love for me as his own special child. This need not promote feelings of being exclusive but rather may help us recognize that God’s love is all-inclusive. Being assured that He loves everybody forms a basis for not doubting his call.

Some languages do not have a specific word for disciple, so this lesson title could read, “Jesus Calls His Learners.” He invites us to learn by following. He does not set certain ones apart from other believers but causes us to be “knit together in love” (Col. 2:2).

Key Verse

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Some young fishermen from Galilee had heard of a powerful preacher in the wilderness by the Jordan River. These men wanted to know God more fully, so they left their work for a time. They journeyed to find John the Baptist. This group from Galilee included Simon, Andrew, John, Philip, and Nathanael. As they heard John the Baptist preach, they became convinced that he was a genuine prophet.

As a true prophet, John the Baptist was not trying to establish his own authority. He desired to prepare the people to receive someone else—the Messiah. John the Baptist viewed himself as a disciple of the coming Messiah, and he welcomed these young men from Galilee to join him in preparation for Jesus’s coming. When the Holy Spirit revealed to him that Jesus was the Lamb of God, he was thrilled to share the good news with his friends from Galilee.

Two of these men heard John’s declaration about Jesus and approached Him. He asked them what they wanted. Their reply, though possibly a bit clumsy, was, “Rabbi, where do you live?” We do not need perfect tact and the right words to approach Jesus. He saw two seeking souls, and that is what He cared about. He invited them to join Him at his place of lodging. The next day Jesus sought out Philip and invited him to follow.

This group from Galilee accompanied Jesus and witnessed his first miracle at Cana, the cleansing of the temple, the nighttime visit with Nicodemus, his outreach to the unholy Samaritans of Sychar, and rejection in his hometown of Nazareth. What must they have thought of Jesus by that time? He was offending the Jewish authorities and befriending the outcasts. Some of the twelve disciples still had not been called, and this group of fishermen from Galilee continued their trade as opportunity allowed.

On another occasion Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee where the fishermen were working. He found Simon, Andrew, James, and John. He invited them to permanently leave their livelihoods and follow Him, saying, “I will make you fishers of men.” They forthwith left their careers and accepted Jesus’s invitation.

These men were likely younger than Jesus, with only a basic education. Now they were enrolling in Jesus’s school of discipleship, and in doing so, they were voluntarily giving up their independence. Jesus was their new Master.

Practical Truths for Today

Our Creator has formed each of us (Ps. 139:13-16), but we are not complete until we experience his work of redemption. In his time, He calls us to become his disciples and invites us to join Him as He creates a new life within. If we accept, our Creator becomes our Teacher. Submitting to Jesus’s work in our hearts puts us on a new course, unknown to the fleshly nature. We are experiencing the ongoing work of Christian growth, being prepared by God to live with Him eternally.

The call to discipleship is a call to follow, not a call to lead. The disciples were like us, so they did not understand this at first. When Jesus called them, they apparently thought they were almost ready for leadership. However, they had not even realized their need of a Savior. They were of a mind to mete out judgment, not seeing their own need of mercy (Luke 9:51-56). Unlike John the Baptist, they still wanted authority. When Jesus died they were devastated because they had not realized that they needed Jesus to die for them.

After Jesus rose again, He opened their understanding. Soon the Holy Spirit entered their hearts. As they understood their need for redemption, their Teacher became their Redeemer. In this, they received the end of their faith (1 Pet. 1:9-10). Their drive to be leaders was gone, and they were pleased to submit to one another. Now they had an urgent story to tell, and they spread it far and wide. Their experience shows us that we do not know what Jesus has in store when He calls us, but we can trust it to be good (Rom. 8:28).

To answer Jesus’s call, we must trust Him. Doubt is a dark sin because it causes one to shrink away from the loving Father. No father wants his child to resist his love. Like Thomas, a doubter trusts his own understanding. A doubter feels justified by effort instead of by faith. These fruits spring from self-reliance; we are trying to not need Jesus’s sacrifice.

Our Master’s sacrifice provides boundless grace, and He is able to cover the sins of the worst sinners. His grace is the all-powerful solution. However, we are required to be obedient in whatever He asks of us. If his grace would cover everything we are unwilling to bear, He would be overriding our free will. His grace cannot cover a heart that is centered upon itself or turned toward other attractions. It is only through loving submission to Him that He can finish his work in us.

We do not always understand the way Jesus leads, and neither did his disciples. There would be no need for faith with a full understanding (2 Cor. 5:7). We may have strong opinions, but a willingness to be led will include being teachable. Following Jesus can be uncomfortable because He often puts his finger on things or actions that are wrong. Then He addresses the need of our heart.

There is also a false Jesus. Like a hireling, this Jesus does not lead one into light where sin and wrong can be exposed and forgiven but rather promotes an attitude of self-preservation. Jesus will call us to follow Him to the cross.

If we resist Jesus, He probably will not respond forcefully. We might think that He is approving of us when He is just being patient. Jesus will not argue with us but waits for voluntary submission to him.

Jesus’s teaching comes directly through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and the church, which takes humility to accept. Even the apostles submitted to the church. No person is so good that God has nothing to show him when his brother asks him to search his heart. When we are reproved, we should be honest and genuine with ourselves. We must tell Jesus if our heart is in turmoil.

The twelve disciples were faulty people just like us. However, as they dwelt under the care of their Master, they finally reflected the image of Jesus (Acts 4:13). Even a muddy pond bears a clear image of the sky when the pond is quiet. This is discipleship. It does not elevate us; it minimizes us so that God can overlay his image upon ours.

Questions

1. If Jesus’s guidance comes to us through the brethren, is it a greater temptation to react negatively?
2. Is it wrong to view God’s peace as a compliment from Him that I am doing fine, or is it only a witness that God has forgiven me despite my faults?
3. How does a call to discipleship differ from a call to service?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).