The Preacher’s Pen

With Jesus at the Seashore

Matthew 4:18–22

Our last two lessons have been With Jesus at the River Jordan and With Jesus in the Wilderness. We are walking with Jesus where He walked when He was here on earth, seeing how He responded and acted, and how we should respond to Him and to others.

Here, Jesus is beginning His earthly ministry — and He does that by assembling a team. This team was not the elite of society. They were not the most educated. They were also not all fully convinced believers at that time. But Jesus saw them in their flesh, in their work environment, and said: “Follow Me.”

What an invitation that was for them — and still is for us today.

1. The Invitation Came in an Ordinary Moment (v. 18)

Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers.

Now let’s be clear: Jesus never does anything ordinary, out of character, or off schedule. But for Simon Peter and Andrew, this was just an ordinary day — business as usual, fishing, mending nets, cleaning fish.

But for Jesus, this was the moment. This was the time when an ordinary day would become extraordinary. This was the day when ordinary fishermen would be called to change the world.

Aren’t you glad for those times when Jesus comes to you in what feels like an ordinary moment — in the middle of your routine, in the middle of your mess — and says: “Follow Me.”

Don’t wait for a Sunday service. Don’t wait for a special revival meeting. Just look for Him in the ordinary. Because that’s often where He meets us.

2. The Invitation Was Personal (v. 19)

Jesus said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Notice the two parts:

“Follow Me.” — Jesus didn’t give them all the details. He didn’t lay out where they would go, when they would go, or how it would all turn out. He simply asked for faith in His person.
“I will make you fishers of men.” — Jesus took responsibility for their transformation. The change from fisherman to fisher of men was not something they could do for themselves. Only Jesus could do that.

And He still does the same with us. He doesn’t demand transformation first — He asks for faith first. Then He begins the work of molding us into what He has called us to be.

Andrew seemed to “get it” sooner than Peter. Peter needed more time, more correction, more molding. But in the end, Jesus used Peter in powerful ways — even to preach at Pentecost where thousands were saved.

Don’t ever let your ability (or your lack of ability) be an excuse not to follow Jesus. If you give Him your life in faith, He will do the rest — in His time.

3. The Response Was Immediate and Surrendered (v. 20–22)

Scripture says they “straightway left their nets, and followed Him.”

Now, Jesus had already been working on them. John 1:35–42 tells us that Andrew had already met Jesus at the Jordan, and even brought Peter to Him. On that first meeting, Jesus didn’t command Peter to follow, but He did give him a new name — Cephas. Seeds were planted then.

But here by the seashore, when Jesus said “Follow Me,” Peter and Andrew responded immediately. Soon James and John did the same.

That’s the power of personal testimony too. I believe Peter saw something in Andrew — in his excitement, in his conviction — that made him want to follow as well. Sometimes the courage of one believer sparks surrender in another.

When will you surrender? Jesus can take whatever you do — your work, your skills, your experiences — and use them for His glory. Just as He made fishermen into fishers of men, He can take your occupation and turn it into a calling.

Reflection Questions

Why do you think the disciples were willing to leave everything immediately to follow Jesus?
How does Jesus’ call to “Follow Me” in that day look different from His call today?
Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” What does that teach us about spiritual growth and sanctification?