Matthew 4:21

“And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.”

Context:Matthew 4:21 is part of a larger passage in which Jesus calls His first disciples. In the preceding verses, Jesus had called Simon Peter and Andrew to follow Him, and now He encounters James and John, who were brothers and fishermen.

The Setting:Jesus, after being baptized by John the Baptist and spending forty days in the wilderness, began His public ministry. He went to Galilee and started preaching the gospel of the kingdom, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). It is in this context that Jesus encounters James and John.

The Encounter:As Jesus continues His journey, He sees James and John in a boat with their father, Zebedee. They were engaged in their fishing profession, mending their nets. Jesus calls out to them, initiating His divine invitation to become His disciples.

The Call:In this verse, we witness the calling of James and John. It is important to note that Jesus initiates the call; they did not seek Him out. Jesus had a divine plan and purpose for these two brothers, just as He does for each of His followers.

Response and Obedience:Matthew does not record the immediate response of James and John, but later in the passage (Matthew 4:22-23), we learn that they left their nets and followed Jesus without hesitation. Their response demonstrates their willingness to abandon their former way of life and submit to the call of Jesus.

• Divine Initiative:Jesus takes the initiative in calling His disciples. It reminds us that our relationship with Him is not based on our efforts but on His grace and purpose. He seeks us out and invites us into a life of discipleship.
• Availability and Readiness:James and John were ready to respond to Jesus’ call. Their immediate obedience teaches us the importance of being open and available to God’s leading in our lives. When Jesus calls, we should be willing to leave behind our old ways and follow Him.
• Sacrifice and Commitment:James and John left their profession and their family to follow Jesus. It reflects the sacrificial commitment required of those who choose to be disciples of Christ. Following Jesus often involves leaving behind comfort zones and making sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom.
• Discipleship:The calling of James and John serves as a reminder of Jesus’ call to all believers to become His disciples. It is an invitation to follow Him, learn from Him, and participate in His mission of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples.