Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Background

Here are a few things that we have skipped over between chapter 4:14 and now in the beginning of chapter 5.

Jesus begins His Ministry

He is rejected at Nazareth (4:16-30)

He Heals a Man with an Unclean Demon (4:31-37)

He heals many more (4:38-41)

Jesus preaches in the Synagogues (4:42-44)

1.) The Sermon from the fishing boat vv1-3

This chapter starts off as a continuation of chapter 4 Jesus is still in Galilee preaching and teaching healing the sick and casting out demons.

The historian Josephus recorded that there was about 3 million people living in and around the area of Galilee at this time so a large crowd would have been very possible during this sene.

The term “Gennesaret” refers to a fertile, heavily populated area at the northwestern corner of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum lies at the lake’s northern tip. The district’s name was at times extended to the lake so that it could be called the Lake of Gennesaret.

Jesus’ teaching and preaching was strikingly different than that of the rabbis, whose authority was connected to quoting other rabbis.

But Jesus, being God, spoke the long-awaited divine revelation of the kingdom, which could be entered through faith in Him.

Jesus did not speak as an Old Testament scholar or as a theologian.

What He spoke was not philosophical speculation or rabbinic tradition; it was the voice of God.

Jesus was the Son of God; God in human flesh, and when He spoke He spoke with personal divine authority (Matt. 7:29; Mark 1:27).

The people were pushing so close to Him that he was being pushed into the water.

The people that were there during this sermon were a cross section of all the people of the area.

It shows that the gospel is not for just one class of people

It is for all people and all types of classes

2.) The Miracle of the Fishes vv4-7

Peter and his other partners were experienced fisherman.

They had just been out on the water all night and did not catch anything.

Peter being willing to do as Jesus ask was a great sign of faith.

The miracle of the fishes brought 2 responses from Peter and the others.

1.) Astonishment

how could a man that was a carpenter know where to find the fish?

Even skilled fisherman sometimes reel in empty.

This show the Omniscient power of Jesus, He knew where the fish were because He put them there.

2.) Peter realized his sinfulness before Jesus.

The result was that Jesus made them fisherman into fishers of men.

3.) The call of Simon Peter vv8-11

In this section of the passage Jesus calls the man that will become the leader of the Apostles.

Peters words here in this passage is the first time we see Peter being truly aware of just who Jesus is.

He see for the first time the Holiness of Christ and that puts a fear into his heart because sin cannot be in the presences of holiness. (v8)

Not only did Peter see the need to follow Jesus be he also saw the need for a redeemer.

Peters call here has 2 purposes here in this passage.

1.) It tells Lukes readers about the calling of the most famous disciples and their experiences

2.) Luke used this text to show what it takes to be a follower of Christ.

You must follow Jesus

Jesus is the only way “He is the way, the truth, and the life”

To follow anyone or anything else would be in vain.

You must leave everything

We cannot serve 2 masters.

These men left everything and followed Jesus that day, they did not make plans to do it latter or in a month or 2 it was right then.

Benedictions 015 Benediction

015 BENEDICTION

May the Lord show kindness to you;

May the Lord grant each of you rest;

May those who dwell in your house be blessed; may they ever be praising the Lord.