The King's Work Begins - Pt. 2

Have you ever considered the series of influences that led you to where you are in life today? When you think of what you are doing now, what you spent most of your life doing, what you have given your life to accomplish, you can probably trace decisions back to influences.

Sometimes those influences are events or tragedies, sometimes they are very personal in nature - but more often than not, the influences in our life are people. These influences can be positive or negative. Practically speaking, they can influence us on “what to do,” and also “what not to do.”

Influence can shape families, communities, regions, even the whole world. Ever purchased something from Amazon? That has revolutionized the way that millions of people think about shopping and merchandise. But Jeff Bezos wasn’t the first person to offer something for sale online. No, he was influenced by someone else.

We think of the Wright Brothers as the first to make the first successful motor-powered aircraft. But they weren’t the first to think of flying, they were influenced.

Do you notice little habits, quirks, idiosyncrasies in people’s lives? Well, chances are they picked those up from someone else. It wasn’t original with them.

All of this is relevant to today’s passage because when we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we really are seeing the master plan of influence. Now, we know that God does whatever he pleases, He is sovereign, all-powerful. He is all-wise, and in His wisdom he plans and executes plans.

Isaiah 25:1 ESV

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Yes, I am as firm a believer in God’s total sovereignty as any. Yet, God also clearly works through means. That is, he uses people, their personalities, their choices, their failures and successes within his sovereign wisdom. I can’t explain the intricacies of how God’s total sovereignty and mankind’s freedom interacts, other than to say they are both shown as explicitly real in Scripture, and in the end God’s ways are higher than ours.

One of the ways that this masterful and beautiful pattern shows itself is in the ministry of Jesus. Being God, the sovereign God, Jesus had all power to simply come to earth and do as he pleased. He could have done exactly as many hoped - take over the world, subdue earthly powers, set up a physical throne and inaugurate the final form of the Kingdom then and there. Yet, he didn’t.

Jesus, the most powerful ruler in existence, the only ruler who can actually be credited with creating the kosmos that he rules over, works in ways that we can draw from. Ways that can, in many respects, be emulated.

One of the most striking things about Jesus’ methods is that, although he gained quite the following at times, he really only focused on small groups of people.

It seems that he had a group that followed him most of the time that included men and women. He certainly chose and had the twelve, some of which we see called in our passage today, who were with him almost constantly. Even within that group of twelve, he had a close-knit bunch of three, the inner-circle who seemed to be with him in some of his most intimate and crucial moments. And this is how he accomplished most of his work. By influence. By teaching.

Now, we can talk about other ways in which this has happened. When you think of the way much of the western world was formed, and its thought-processes, you can think of four names. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great. This succession of teachers and students, influencers and learners can be credited with influencing millions, probably billions of people throughout the centuries with their philosophy, teaching, and tactics. But the Greeks weren’t the only ones to have influence like this.

The Jewish culture in Jesus’ day was one of learning as well. Young Jewish boys would follow a series of landmarks as they grew up. At five they would begin to learn the scriptures. At ten, they would begin to learn the oral traditions. At 13, they would be expected to keep the commandments. At 15, they would learn the talmud, the Rabbinic interpretations. At 18, they could be married. At 20, they could pursue a vocation. And at 30, they were considered old enough to have “authority” if the excelled in their learning.

Now, most young Jewish boys would be content to be married and take on a vocation. At that point, they would be well-versed in the scriptures and the traditions of their ancestors. But some, exceptional students, would want to go further.

If a student wanted to keep learning, they would pursue the life of the “Talmidim.” “Talmidim” were followers of specific Rabbi, really, Disciples. They would seek this relationship and apply to be a “Disciple” of a famous Rabbi. If accepted, they would literally “follow” or walk behind the famous Rabbi in life, as the Rabbi would repeat his teachings over and over, they would learn his words and his ways. These students, the Talmidim, wanted to be able to do more than to pass an academic test with information - they wanted to be like their Rabbi in every sense.

This stream of influence in Jewish life is critical for us to understand, because when the New Testament speaks of Disciples, this is where the idea comes from. The Talmidim - following and learning from the Rabbi, becoming like Him.

Jesus, in this case, is the great Rabbi. He is the one with authority, the teacher. As we will see in this passage, he conducts his ministry much differently than the other Rabbis - for he chooses his own Disciples to follow him, to be with him.

There have been many teachers and disciple-makers in history, but never one with the significance and ultimacy of Jesus. He is worthy to be followed at all costs.

1. Jesus’ Specific Ministry - 18-22

Matthew gives us some really interesting insight here into the way that Jesus lived and conducted his ministry. As we see him calling his first disciples, his first “Talmidim” to use the phrase they would have been familiar with, he does it in a way that is so antithetical to the norm. But isn’t that just like Jesus. Seemingly, his whole Ministry was breaking expectations. That is good for us, because when our expectations are broken, we tend to get back into thinking. People tend to put their lives, and specifically their minds, into cruise control. Sometimes patterns are broken for a purpose, and it is to wake us up.

The patterns were certainly broken for Peter, Andrew, James and John in this passage.

In both Cases, we read that Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, no doubt near his new home-base of Capernaum, and he saw these men, and compelled them to follow him. The amazing thing is that they did! They dropped everything, right then and there, and followed him.

Now, Andrew, at least, had seen Jesus before. In John 1, Andrew is recorded as being a follower of John the Baptist, and was made aware by John that Jesus was the Messiah. Andrew immediately went and told others about this amazing fact, his brother being one of those. And perhaps, these other fishermen, James and John, were some of the ones that Andrew told. So there is a chance, at least, that all four of these men knew about Jesus, and in the case of Peter and Andrew, had met Him before.

But that doesn’t negate the amazing result of Jesus’ call to them, that they would drop everything and follow him. All four of these men were fishermen. Peter and Andrew were literally in the act of fishing when Jesus called them.

Jesus’, being the master teacher, used this situation to form his call. While they were casting their net into the sea of Galilee, Jesus said “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

And they left their nets, and followed him. The story was similar with James and John. These brothers, sons of Zebedee, were also part of a fishing business. Their Father was working with them, mending their nets. Cleaning them, repairing them, making them ready for business. I don’t know if the call was the same, but the response was. They left everything, right there, including their father, and followed Jesus.

I would have loved to be a fly on the boat in that moment. Was there a conversation between the boys and their Father? Was their an argument? Was there any convincing that had to be done? I work in a family business as well. I know the importance of trust and relationships, and the well-oiled machine that a family business can be. I can imagine that even if Zebedee was okay with James and John making this decision, that it was no easy thing. Here goes two of the strongest in the workforce.

But the call was worthy. The call to follow Jesus as a “talmidim” or a “Disciple” was worthy. The call to follow Jesus is a worthy call. An interesting paradox, though, is that the ones called were not. At least in cultural terms, and in human terms. In the traditional system, the young men who would become disciples of a Rabbi were the top of their class, they were A+ students who showed incredibly aptitude. Most of those who “applied” to be a follower of a Rabbi were turned away, not accepted into this elite method of learning. The Talmidim were the best of the best.

Peter, Andrew, James and John were not honor students - they were regular people. They were hard workers, no doubt good men, but they weren’t academics.

Acts 4:13 ESV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Isn’t that interesting. They were “unlearned men.” But they had a mark on their lives, didn’t the? They had been with Jesus. They had been with Jesus. That was the distinguishing characteristic. That was the lynch pin. That was the difference-maker in their lives. Not their academic prowess, not their accomplishments, but the stream of influence. They had been with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:26–27 ESV

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

Mark 3:14 ESV

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

These men were called to the most critical path of learning that anyone can undergo, and that is the path of following Jesus.

As we will learn as we continue to go through this Gospel book, following Jesus was and is a serious task. Following Jesus is an undertaking of obedience, commitment, perseverance, trust, and submission. Following Jesus isn’t a way for us to bring what we have to the table, to see what we can offer in this pursuit. The student usually hopes to take the teaching, the information, and go one step further. But When it comes to following Jesus, the master is already the pinnacle - nothing higher can be achieved. Following Jesus, there is no reason to look for any better offer, no reason to wait out for a different contract.

Perhaps that is why these four fishermen left their necessary tasks so willingly. They saw some element in Jesus call that was irresistible, in a sense. There was no better offer. They dropped everything. They went from being fishers, to fishers of men. They realized that every earthly pursuit, even virtuous ones, has to be second place when following Jesus is in the running.

Peter was the outspoken leader of the group, he would prove to be strong in his confession that Jesus is the Christ, but would also prove to be weak when he denied Jesus three times before his death. He was one of the inner circle of Jesus; disciples, with James and John.

Andrew was the brother of Peter. He seems to be much more quiet and humble than his brother. One characteristic of Andrew is that he was always bringing people to Jesus.

Little is known about this James, he is never mentioned alone in the Gospels. He was, however, close enough to Jesus to be with him in some of the most intimate moments.

John was the disciple of love. He uses the word love over 80 times in his writing. He would go on to write 5 of our NT books.

Interestingly, of all four, history tells us that John is the only one to die naturally. The others were brutally martyred. The call to follow Jesus would lead to different levels of influence, different levels of both fame and infamy. Regardless, it was an all-encompassing call. These four fishermen left everything - including job and family - and gave everything - up to and including their lives - to follow Jesus.

2. Jesus’ General Ministry - 23-25

Matthew then goes on to give us a bird’s eye view of the general scope of Jesus ministry. Two things, two main actions. Teaching, and Miracles. Teaching, and Miracles.

The scope of this work was small geographically, at least in this case Jesus stayed basically in the same small area. Just in Galilee, but his fame spread around. His influence spread around. Before long, people from Syria knew about this Jesus, this miraculous teacher who kept telling people the good news about the Kingship of God. People kept bringing their sick family members, their demon-posessed friends, their paralyzed children, whoever and whatever, and this Jesus healed them all. He kept proving what he said by what he did. He kept saying “the authority of God is here!” and then he would show the power of God by his healing.

He built up a great crowd of people. Now, undoubtedly many came simply for the healings and perhaps missed the teaching. But think of the influence. It is the same in our day. Many seek a “come to Jesus” moment for some perceived earthly benefit. Many are seeking a quick-fix, a miracle, without a commitment to follow Him. But just because there are some like that, doesn’t mean that Jesus’ work wasn’t successful.

Jesus would continue this pattern of teaching and miracles throughout his ministry. In fact, next week we are going to start the most significant portion of Jesus’ teaching that we have, the Sermon on the Mount. And right after he finished that teaching, he came down off the mountain and performed a miracle. And people marveled, because Jesus taught as one who had authority - and not as the scribes.

I mentioned the idea that in that culture, you were considered old enough to have authority when you were 30. Authority meant that you could teach more than just other people’s interpretations of the scriptures and the talmud, you could make and teach your own interpretations. Jesus certainly did have the authority to make interpretations of scripture, he was the author of scripture. And Jesus’ authority was seen in that sense, but he had incredible authority - authority to cast out demons, authority to raise the dead, authority to command the wind and the seas to calm. Jesus taught as one who had authority, and he lived as one who had authority - the ultimate authority.

3. Jesus’ Continued Ministry

Jesus earthly ministry would come to an end, but his ministry would not come to an end. After the four Gospel-records comes the book of Acts. The book of Acts is a history book, a record, and its a record of the continuation of this ministry - the very work that Jesus set in place, the very work that he legitimized and actuated by his Death and Resurrection. His message continued on, because that’s the way he intended it.

Jesus’ primary work on earth was to save his people, and he has done that. His atoning death and victorious resurrection as the vicarious substitute for sinners has done that. He has made a way for rich and poor, slave and free, Jew and Gentile, to follow Him. He calls to you, dear one, if you have not yet, to follow Him. To follow Him by faith, believing that He is and will be a faithful Savior. He shows by his words and works in the scriptures that He is who he says He is. He will come again to receive his followers, that where He is we might be also. He will one day be seen and recognized in the fulness of His kingdom as Lord of All. Yet, he graciously beckons you now to come, to follow Him. To drop everything. The cares and anxieties of life, and follow Him. In another place, he says

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus is still working, making disciples and disciple-makers.

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This leads me to ask two questions, very simply, by way of application.

Are you a disciple? Are you a follower of Jesus? Has he called you and have you heeded that call? Yes, it may seem counter-cultural. Yes, it may seem unpopular. Yes, it may seem earthly ignorant, but it is heavenly wise. Have you come to see Jesus as the King? Have you come to see Jesus as Lord? He is Lord, whether you see Him as Lord now or not is of no consequence to that reality. He is Lord, do you see Him as such? Do you follow Him? Do you trust Him? I would implore you, as one man speaking to another, as one human being speaking to another. Follow Christ! None of us are worth, but He is worthy! None of us are righteous or pure or holy, but He is! And He offers that righteousness, that purity, HIS righteousness and purity, for those who follow Him. Following Jesus is of eternal consequence. Only in Him is found life, life everlasting. Only in Him is found eternal peace. Only in Him is found security beyond our earthly years. Only He is worthy, only he has all authority, only he has the significance and ultimacy that is worthy to be followed at all costs.

And secondly, are you a disciple-maker?

We are called to make disciples from all nations. To teach them whatever Jesus has taught us. To pass on this living truth in a stream of influence. Jesus has not designed the church to take the world by storm, but by teaching. He has not designed his body to infiltrate by force and by warfare, but by multiplication. He has called his followers to spread his good news, to tell each person that Gospel is the power of God for salvation! To proclaim what He proclaimed, that the Kingdom of God has drawn near in the person of Jesus Christ, and that demands a response.

But I want to circle back to one thing, one final point of application. I believe that most if not all of you in this room have trusted Christ, have followed Him. But there is a critical piece.

Mark 3:14 ESV

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

What did Jesus first appoint his disciples to do? To be with Him. What was the distinguishing mark on Peter and John in the book of Acts? Not their seminary degree or their life’s accomplishments, but that they had been with Jesus. Dear one, the call to follow Jesus can be described in many ways, but it is firstly and primarily a call to be with Him. It is a call that will result in us being with Him eternally, but it is a call that demands and yearns for us to be with him now. With him in his teaching, with him in His words, with him in our prayer and devotion, with him in our thinking and our doing, with him.

May the world see us as different, not because we are extraordinary, but because we are followers - disciples - of the only one worthy of following with everything we have.

There have been many teachers and disciple-makers in history, but never one with the significance and ultimacy of Jesus. He is worthy to be followed at all costs.