“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”
“And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
James and John, brothers and sons of Zebedee - a family of fisherman - are being called here to follow Jesus.
In this scripture, we read that Jesus went on from there…
Along the Sea of Galilee where He called Peter and Andrew
Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Him - Immediately
This would also mean that most likely, Peter, and John were with Jesus at this moment.
Possibly even Philip and Nathanael.
Doesn’t it make it easier sometimes if you aren’t the first one to go to do something that nobody else is doing?
Doesn’t it seem easier when your friends or maybe someone you trust have already committed to something that you are looking into doing but have reservations about?
I imagine this was no different even though we don’t read about it.
Kinda interesting to think about the order.
Philip was called first - already a disciple of John the Baptist
Showing that leaving the “normal” and following something new and hard was something he already knew about and did
Jesus was wise to begin calling disciples to his ministry by starting with a disciple of the very man who was making the way for Him…
Jesus then “sees” Nathanael “an Israelite indeed” after the experienced disciple Philip goes to get him.
Now Jesus has an experienced disciple and a man “without deceit” who fully believes in Him following Him.
Anyone who ever begins a movement or a business first calls the most talented and experienced people to join them.
Philip and Nathanael certainly meet the bill.
(No I’m not calling this a business, I’m just pointing out some very cool order here)
Then Jesus goes along the Sea of Galilee and calls two fishermen who already know of Him and know him well.
Andrew has spent at least a full day with Jesus and believes He is the Messiah.
Simon has met and talked with Jesus as well as having his name already changed to Peter!
Jesus, with an experienced disciple Philip, and a man known for his honesty Nathanael, a fisherman with a new name in Peter and his brother Andrew another disciple of John and a believer in Him as the Messiah - this is the possible crew standing on the beach when Jesus calls James and John.
Probably easier for James and John to go knowing the group of men standing there with Jesus.
However, this is not saying that Jesus was not enough.
I have full belief that James and John would have left everything and followed Jesus regardless.
However, the order of call is still interesting.
Fisherman probably knew each other and since Andrew knew John and followed Jesus and told Simon who also met Jesus and yet still went fishing or went back to work until they were called - James and John have certainly heard of Jesus by now.
The timing here is absolutely perfect.
Fisherman are all over the place - they go where the fish are
Knowing a lot of people in a lot of places
A Few Traits of Fisherman:
Fisherman know what it’s like to work hard all day
They know what it’s like to fish
To have instincts on where to go
To fully grasp and accept disappointment or lack of a catch
Discipline to do it everyday, regardless of the results
Fearless - this sea had incredible storms
How to learn under an apprenticeship
Notice, Jesus did not call Zebedee their father.
Maybe not because Zebedee wasn’t worthy, but possibly because of the life He needed Zebedee to continue to live.
Maybe many people were dependent on him.
His boys were young and free to leave all and follow.
Jesus calls each of us at different times in our lives
Sometimes we are ready and listening, and sometimes we are busy and not listening
Sometimes we can’t even hear His voice nor do we recognize it over all the noise of the world
But now, Jesus is calling, and you can hear Him
Maybe you are similar to a Philip or maybe more like a John…
Maybe you are like none of them
Maybe you are taking these steps of complete faith all for yourself
Maybe you are wanting a relationship with Jesus so you can lead your family or your spouse or your friends
Maybe you are seeing your friends doing this and you see the difference and you want a part of it
Regardless of what the reason, the call is the same
