Advent Reader: From Christmas to Calling Disciples

Matthew 4:18-25

Today’s Reading comes in two parts:

Vv18-22 : Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Vv23-25 : Jesus Heals the Sick

It’s quite a thought that almost thirty years have elapsed since Jesus’ birth and all the Christmas stories that we know so well. Here He is now starting the three years of public ministry leading up to His death and resurrection.

The second portion of our reading today relates very much to this three year period where Jesus went around teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news and healing the sick. As a result of this ministry people flocked to Galilee to see Him and bring their sick to be healed by Him. They came from all over Roman Judea and its recent subdivisions.

When we consider the calling of the disciples we are reminded that in the age of grace in the era of the church it will be Christians who will take the gospel message and the life of the Kingdom into all the world empowered and indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit.

Simon, Andrew, James and John are called to leave their lives as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee to become fishers of men and play a core part in God’s redemptive plan for the world.

Let us too hallow God’s name as we pray for and serve the extension of His kingdom as present day disciples.