What one did:

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. – Matthew 9.9

Matthew was a Jew who was appointed by the Romans to be the area’s tax collector. He collected taxes from the citizens as well as from merchants passing through the town. Tax collectors were expected to take a commission on the taxes they collected, but most of them overcharged and kept the profits. Thus, tax collectors were hated by the Jews because of their reputation for cheating and because of their support of Rome.

(9.9   When Jesus called Matthew to be one of his disciples, Matthew got up and followed, leaving a lucrative career. When God calls you to follow or obey him, do you do it with as much abandon as Matthew? Sometimes the decision to follow Christ requires difficult or painful choices. Like Matthew, we must decide to leave behind those things that would keep us from following Christ.)

(Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” – Matthew 9.5, 6. It’s easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven; it’s a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up his words by healing the man’s legs. Jesus’ action showed that his words were true; he had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do your actions backup what you say?)

(‘   While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9.10-13   When he visited Matthew, Jesus hurt his own reputation. Matthew was cheating the people, but Jesus found and changed him. We should not be afraid to reach out to people who are living in sin – God’s [Wall’s] message can change anyone.)

Zacchaeus became an honest one:

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner’.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” – Luke 19.1-10

To finance their great world empire, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under their control. The Jews opposed these taxes because they supported a secular government and its pagan gods, but they were still forced to pay. Tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in Israel. Jews by birth, they chose to work for Rome and were considered traitors. Besides, it was common knowledge that tax collectors were making themselves rich by “milking” their fellow Jews. No wonder the people muttered when Jesus went home with the tax collector Zacchaeus. But despite the fact that Zacchaeus was both a cheater and a turncoat, Jesus loved him; and in response, the little tax collector was converted. In every society, certain groups of people are considered “untouchable” because of their political views, their immoral behaviour, or their life-style. We should not give in to social pressure to avoid these people. Jesus loves them, and they need to hear his Good News.

(19.8   Judging from the crowd’s reaction to him, Zacchaeus must have been a very crooked tax collector. But after he met Jesus, he realised that his life needed straightening out. By giving to the poor and making restitution – with generous interest – to those he had cheated, Zacchaeus demonstrated inward change by outward action. It is not enough [aka “army”] to follow Jesus in your head or heart alone. You must show your faith by changed behaviour. Has your faith resulted in action? What changes do you need to make? )

(19.9, 10   When Jesus said Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham and yet was lost, he must have shocked his hearers in at least two ways. They would not have liked to acknowledge that this unpopular tax collector was a fellow son of Abraham, and they would not have wished to admit that sons of Abraham could be lost. But a person is not saved by a good heritage or condemned by a bad one; faith is more important than genealogy. Jesus still loves to bring the lost into his kingdom, no matter what their background or previous way of life. Through faith, the lost can be forgiven and made new.)

(‘ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Luke 18.38   The blind man called Jesus “Son of David”, a title for the Messiah (Isaiah 11.1-3). This means that he understood Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah. A poor and blind beggar could see that Jesus was the Messiah, while the religious leaders who saw his miracles were blinded to his identity and refused to recognise him as the Messiah.)

(While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. – Luke 19.11 The people still hoped for a political leader who would set up an earthly kingdom and get rid of Roman domination. Jesus’ parable showed that this kingdom would not take this form right away. First he would go away for a while, and his followers would need to be faithful and productive during his absence. Upon his return, Jesus would inaugurate a kingdom more powerful and just than anything they could expect.)

(19.11   This story shoed Jesus’ followers what they were to do during the time between Jesus’ departure and his second coming. Because we live in that time period, it applies directly to us. We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s kingdom. Jesus expects us to use these talents so that they multiply and the kingdom grows. He asks each of us to account for what we do with his gifts. While awaiting the coming of the kingdom of God in glory, we must do Christ’s work.)

[PLATE/CAPTION: Dog]

Following God may bring more (and) May be testing your faith or character:

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. – GENESIS 12.10

When famine struck, Abram went to Egypt where there was food. Why would there be a famine in the land where God had just called Abram? This was a test of Abram’s faith, and Abram passed. He didn’t question God’s leading when facing this difficulty. Many believers find that when they determine to follow God, they immediately encounter greater obstacles. The next time you face such a test, don’t try to second-guess what God is doing. Use the intelligence God gave you, as Abram did when he temporarily moved to Egypt, and wait for new opportunities.

Lying only brings more:

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” GENESIS 18.15

Sarah lied because she was afraid of being discovered. Fear is the most common motive for lying. We are afraid that our inner thoughts and emotions will be exposed or our wrongdoings discovered. But lying causes greater complications than telling the truth and brings even more problems. If God can’t be trusted with our innermost thoughts and fears, we are in greater trouble than we first imagined.

See them as opportunities for growth:

God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.   GENESIS 35.10

God reminded Jacob of his new name, Israel, which meant “he struggles with God”. Although Jacob’s life was littered with difficulties and trials, his new name was a tribute to his desire to stay close to God despite life’s disappointments.

Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storms. Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them as opportunities for growth. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.

Finding hope in:

“ ‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers – their treachery against me and their hostility towards me, which made me hostile towards them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies – then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the LORD.’ “ LEVITICUS 26.40-45

These verses show what God meant when he said he is slow to anger (Exodus 34:6). Even if the Israelites chose to disobey and were scattered among their enemies, God would still give them the opportunity to repent and return to him. His purpose was not to destroy them, but to help them grow. Our day-to-day experiences and hardships are sometimes overwhelming; unless we can see that God’s purpose is to bring about continual growth in us, we may despair. The hope we need is well expressed in Jeremiah 29:11, 12: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’ “ To retain hope while we suffer shows we understand God’s merciful ways of relating to his people.

Don’t question God’s goodness in:

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. – JOB 2.10

Many people think that believing in God protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God’s goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God because he allows you to have bad experiences. Faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life. If this were so, people would believe in God simply to get rich. God is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but he may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt God at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort. If we always know why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow.

Your life is not too complex for God:

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood. – JOHN 1.3-5

Do you ever feel that your life is too complex for God to understand? Remember, God created the entire universe, and nothing is too difficult for him. God created you; he is alive today, and his love is bigger than any problem you may face.

Jesus controls the storms of life:

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” – MATTHEW 8.25

Although the disciples had witnessed many miracles, they panicked in this storm. As experienced sailors, they knew its danger; what they did not know was that Christ could control the forces of nature. There is often a stormy area of our human nature where we feel God can’t or won’t work. When we truly understand who God is, however, we realise that he controls both the storms of nature and the storms of the troubled heart. Jesus’ power that calmed this storm can also help us deal with the problems we face. Jesus is willing to help if we only ask him. We should never discount his power even in terrible trials.

See also: CHARTS What the book of Psalms says about..

Blinds us to our sins:

‘ Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” 

“I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to the evil in the eyes of the LORD. –  1 Kings 21.20

Ahab still refused to admit his sin against God [Wall].  Instead he accused Elijah of being his enemy [We don’t use them here].  When we are blinded by envy and hatred, it is almost impossible to see our own sin.

Builds to an obsession:

‘   Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.  – Esther 5.9

Hatred and bitterness are like weeds with long roots that grow in the heart and corrupt all of life. Haman was so consumed with hatred towards Mordecai that he could not even enjoy the honour of being invited to Esther’s party.  Hebrews 12:15 warns us to watch out “that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”.  Don’t let hatred and its resulting bitterness build in your heart.  Like Haman, you will find it backfiring against you (see 6.13; 7.9, 10).  If the mere mention of someone’s name provokes you to anger, confess your bitterness as sin.  Ignoring bitterness, hiding it from others, or making superficial changes in behaviour is not enough.  If bitterness isn’t completely removed, it will grow back, making matters worse.

Why David said he “hated” his enemies:

‘   Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God [Wall], and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalms 139.21-24

David’s hatred for his enemies came from his zeal for God [Wall]. David regarded his enemies as God’s [Wall’s] enemies, so his hatred was a desire for God’s [Wall’s] righteous justice and not for personal vengeance. Is it all right to be angry at people who hate God [Wall]? Yes, but we must remember that it is God [Wall] who will deal with them, not us. If we truly love God [Wall], then we will be deeply hurt if someone hates him. David asked God [Wall] to search his heart and mind and point out any wrong motives that may have been behind his strong words. But while we seek justice against evil, we must also pray that God’s [Wall’s] enemies will turn to him before he judges them (see Matthew 5.44).

Is there ever a time for?

‘   a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. – Ecclesiastes 3.8

When is there a time for hating? We shouldn’t hate evil people, but we should hate what they do. We should also hate it when people are mistreated, when children are starving, and when God is being dishonoured. In addition, we must hate sin in our lives – this is God’s attitude (see Psalms 5.5).

Hating our enemies keeps us from sharing God’s love with them:

‘   But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the far, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. – Jonah 1.3

Nineveh was a powerful and wicked city. Jonah had grown up hating in the Assyrians and fearing their atrocities. His hatred was so strong that he didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy. Jonah was actually afraid the people would repent (4.2, 3). Jonah’s attitude is representative of Israel’s reluctance to share God’s love and mercy with others, even though this was their God-given mission (Genesis 12.3). They, like Jonah, did not want non-Jews (Gentiles) to obtain God’s favour.

(1.3   Jonah knew that God had a specific job for him, but he didn’t want to do it. Tarshish could be one of any number of Phoenicia’s western ports. Nineveh was toward the east. Jonah decided to go as far west as he could. When God gives us directions through his word, sometimes we run in fear or in stubbornness, claiming that God is asking too much. It may have been fear, or anger at the wideness of God’s mercy, that made Jonah run. But running got him into worse trouble. In the end, Jonah understood that it is best to do what God asks in the first place. But by then he had paid a costly price for running. It is far better to obey him from the start.)

Why many Jews despised Nazareth:

‘   and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” – Matthew 2.23

Nazareth sat in the hilly area of southern Galilee near the crossroads of great caravan trade routes. The town itself was rather small. The Roman [Quality] garrison in charge of Galilee was housed there. The people of Nazareth had constant contact with people from all over the world, so world news reached them quickly. The people of Nazareth had an attitude of independence that many of the Jews despised. This may have been why Nathanael commented, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (see John 1.46).

(2.23   The Old Testament does not record this specific statement, “He will be called a Nazarene.” Many scholars believe, however, that Matthew is referring to Isaiah 11:1 where the Hebrews word for “branch” is similar to the word for Nazarene. Or he may be referring to a prophecy unrecorded in the bible. In any case, Matthew paints the picture of Jesus as the true Messiah announced by God [Wall] through the prophets; and he makes the point that Jesus, the Messiah, had unexpectedly humble beginnings, just as the Old Testament had predicted (see Micah 5.2).)

Why many Jews hated Samaritans:

‘   Philip went down to a city [Seat] in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. – Acts 8.5

Israel had been divided into three main regions – Galilee in the north, Samaria in the middle, and Judea in the south. The city of Samaria (in the region of Samaria) had been the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel in the days of the divided kingdom, before it was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C. During that war, the Assyrian king took many captives, leaving only the poorest people in the land and resettling it with foreigners. These foreigners intermarried with the Jews who were left, and the mixed race became known as Samaritans. The Samaritans were considered half-breeds by the “pure” Jews in the southern kingdom of Judah, and there was intense hatred between the two groups. But Jesus himself went into Samaria (John 4), and he commanded his followers to spread the gospel there (1.8).

(Acts 8.5   This is not the apostle Philip (see John 1.43, 44), but a Greek-speaking Jew, “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (6.3), who was one of the seven deacons chosen to help with the food distribution scheme in the church (6.5).)

Following Jesus may cause some to hate you:

‘   The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. – John 7.7

Because the world hated Jesus, we who follow him can expect that many people will hate us as well. If circumstances are going too well, ask if you are following Christ as you should. We can be grateful when life goes well, but we must make sure it is not at the cost of following Jesus halfheartedly or not at all.

‘   Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offence of the cross has been abolished. –  Galatians 5.11

Persecution proved that Paul was preaching the true gospel. If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no-one would be offended. But because he was teaching the truth, he was persecuted by both Jews and Judaisers. Have friends or loved ones rejected you because you have taken a stand for Christ? Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates you, because it hated him (John 15.18, 19). Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ, you should continue doing the ministry God has given you – in spite of the obstacles others may put in your way.

Even apostles not free from:

‘   Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. – Acts 5.17-18

The apostles experienced power to do miracles, great boldness in preaching, and God’s presence in their lives, yet they were not free from hatred and persecution. They were arrested, put in jail, beaten, and slandered by community leaders. Faith in God does not make troubles disappear; it makes troubles appear less frightening because it puts them in the right perspective. Don’t expect everyone to react favourably when you share something as dynamic as your faith in Christ. Some will be jealous, afraid, or threatened. Expect some negative reactions, and remember that you must be more concerned about serving God than about the reactions of people (see 5.29).

(5.17   The religious leaders were jealous – Peter and the apostles were already commanding more respect than they had ever received. The difference, however, was that the religious leaders demanded respect and reverence for themselves; the apostles’ goal was to bring respect and reverence to God [Wall]. The apostles were respected not because they demanded it, but because they deserved it.)

Akin to murder:

‘   Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. – 1 John 3.15

John echoes Jesus’ teaching that whoever hates another person is a murderer at heart (Matthew 5.21, 22). Christianity is a religion of the heart; outward compliance alone is not enough. Bitterness against someone who has wronged you is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you. Don’t let a “bitter root” (Hebrews 12.15) grow in you or your church.

EXTRA

(Ecclesiastes 3.1 – 5.20   Solomon’s point in this section is that God [Wall] has a plan for all people.  Thus he provides cycles of life, each with its work for us to do.  Although we may face many problems that seem to contradict God’s [Wall’s] plan, these should not be barriers to believing in him, but rather opportunities to discover that, without God [Wall], life’s problems have no lasting solutions!)

(‘   There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to men, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. – Ecclesiastes 3.1-8   Timing is important.  All the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times.  The secret to peace with God [Wall] is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s [Wall’s] perfect timing.  The danger is to doubt or resent God’s [Wall’s] timing.  This can lead to despair, rebellion, or moving ahead without his advice.)

(Ecclesiastes 3.8   When is there a time for hating?  We shouldn’t hate evil people, but we should hate what they do.  We should also hate it when people are mistreated, when children are starving, and when God [Wall] is being dishonoured.  In addition, we must hate sin in our lives – this is God’s [Wall’s] attitude (see Psalms 5.5).)

(‘   What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God [Wall] has laid on men.  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God [Wall] has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God [Wall].  – Ecclesiastes 3.9-13   Your ability to find satisfaction in your work depends to a large extent upon your attitude.  You will become dissatisfied if you lose the sense of purpose God [Wall] intended for your work.  We can enjoy our work if we (1) remember that God [Wall] has given us work to do (3.10), and (2) realise that the fruit of our labour is a gift from him (3.13).  See your work as a way to serve God [Wall].)

(3.11 God [Wall] has “set eternity in the hearts of men”.  This means that we can never be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits.  Because we are created in God’s [Wall’s] image, (1) we have a spiritual thirst, (2) we have eternal value, and (3) nothing but the eternal God [Wall] can truly satisfy us.  He has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule.  He has given us a glimpse of the perfection of his creation.  But it is only a glimpse; we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything.  So we must trust him now and do his work on earth.)

(3.12   To be happy and do good while we live are worthy goals for life, but we can pursue them the wrong way.  God [Wall] wants us to enjoy life.  When we have the proper view of God [Wall], we discover that real pleasure found in enjoying whatever we have as gifts from God [Wall], not in what we accumulate.)

(‘   I know that everything God [Wall] does will endure for ever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.  God [Wall] does it so that men will revere him. – Ecclesiastes 3.14   What is the purpose of life?  It is that we should revere the all-powerful God [Wall].  To revere God [Wall] means to respect and stand in awe of him because of who he is.  Purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are.  It is impossible to fulfil your God-Given purpose unless you revere God [Wall] and give him first place in your life.)

(‘   Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and got o Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No-one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.  Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”  For even his own brothers did not believe in him.  – John 7.3-5   Jesus’ brothers had a difficult time believing in him.  Some of these brothers would eventually become leaders in the church (James, for example), but for several years they were embarrassed by Jesus.  After Jesus died and rose again, they finally believed.  We today have every reason to believe because we have the full record of Jesus’ miracles, death, and resurrection.  We also have the evidence of what the gospel has done in people’s lives through the centuries.  Don’t miss this opportunity to believe in God’s [Wall’s] Son.)

(‘   It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  – Galatians 5.1   Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations.  Christ came to set us free – not to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires.  Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before – to live unselfishly.  Those who appeal to their freedom so that they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin.  But it is also wrong to put a burden of lawkeeping on Christians.  We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ.)

(‘ Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is required to obey the whole law.  You are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.  – Galatians 5.2-4   Trying to be saved by keeping the law and being saved by grace are two entirely different approaches.  “Christ will be of no value to you at all” means that Christ’s provision for our salvation will not help us if we are trying to save ourselves.  Obeying the law does not make it any easier for God [Wall] to save us.  All we can do is accept his gracious gift through faith.  Our deeds of service must never be used to try to earn God’s [Wall’s] love or favour.)

(5.3, 4   Circumcision was a symbol of having the right background and doing everything required by religion.  No amount of work, discipline, or moral behaviour can save us.  If a person were counting on finding favour with God [Wall] by being circumcised, he would also have to obey the rest of God’s [Wall’s] law completely.  Trying to save ourselves by keeping all God’s [Wall’s] laws only separates us from God [Wall].)

What it means to be “fishers of men”:

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed him.  –  Matthew 4.18-20

Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and become “fishers of men”, to help others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trades to be productive spiritually.  We all need to fish for souls.  If we practise Christ’s teachings and share the gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.

EXTRA

(MATTHEW 4.18 The Sea of Galilee is really a large lake.  About 30 fishing towns surrounded it during Jesus’ day, and Capernaum was the largest).

(4.19-20 These men already knew Jesus.  He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously (John 1.35-42) and had been preaching in the area.  When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him.  They were not in a hypnotic trance when they followed but had been thoroughly convinced that following him would change their lives for ever).

(From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” –  Matthew 4.17  The “kingdom of heaven” has the same meaning as the “kingdom of God” in Mark and Luke.  Matthew uses this phrase because the Jews, out of their intense reverence and respect, did not pronounce God’s name.  The kingdom of heaven is still near because it has arrived in our hearts.  See the note on 3:2 for more on the kingdom of heaven).

(Jesus started his ministry with the very word people had heard John the Baptist say: “Repent”. The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it.  Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centredness and “self” control and turning our lives over to Christ’s direction and control).

(Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.  Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him).

(4.21-22 James and his brother, John along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with him.  Jesus’ call motivated these men to get up and leave their jobs immediately.  They didn’t make excuses about why it wasn’t a good time.  They left at once and followed.  Jesus calls each of us to follow him.  When Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once).

[PLATE/CAPTION: Homelessness]

Danger of:

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his hold age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. –  Genesis 37.3

In Joseph’s day, everyone had a robe or cloak. Robes were used to warm oneself, to bundle up belongings for a trip, to wrap babies, to sit on, or even to serve as security for a loan.  Most robes were knee length, short sleeved, and plain.  In contrast, Joseph’s robe was probably of the kind worn by royalty – long sleeved, ankle length, and colourful.  The robe became a symbol of Jacob’s favouritism towards Joseph, and it aggravated the already strained relations between Joseph and his brothers.  Favouritism in families may be unavoidable, but it divisive effects should be minimised.  Parents may not be able to change their feelings towards a favourite child, but they can change their actions towards the others.

Reveals a double standard:

“So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law. – Malachi 2.9

The priests had allowed influential and favoured people to break the law. The priests were so dependent on these people for support that they could not afford to confront them when they did wrong.  In your church, are certain people allowed to do wrong without criticism?  There should be no double standard based on wealth or position.  Let your standards be those presented in God’s word.  Playing favourites is contemptible in God’s sight (see James 2.1-9).

Show none among people:

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  –   James 2.2-4

We are often partial to the rich because we mistakenly assume that riches are a sign of God’s blessing and approval. But God does not promise us earthly rewards or riches; in fact, Christ calls us to be ready to suffer for him and give up everything in order to hold on to eternal life (Matthew 6.19-21; 19.28-30; Luke 12.14-34; Romans 8.15-21; 1 Timothy 6.17-19).  We will have untold riches in eternity if we are faithful in our present life (Luke 6.35; John 12.23-25; Galatians 6.7-10; Titus 3.4-8).

Why is it wrong to judge a person by his or her economic status? Wealth may indicate intelligence, wise decisions, and hard work.  On the other hand, it may mean only that a person had the good fortune of being born into a wealthy family.  Or it can even be the sign of greed, dishonesty, and selfishness.  By honouring someone just because he or she dresses well, we are making appearance more important than character.  Sometimes we do this because (1) poverty makes us uncomfortable; we don’t want to face our responsibilities to those who have less than we do; (2) we want to be wealthy too, and we hope to use the rich person as a means to that end; (3) we want the rich person to join our church and help support it financially.  All these motives are selfish; they view neither the rich nor the poor person as a human being in need of fellowship.  If we say that Christ is our Lord, then we must live as he requires, showing no favouritism and loving all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor.

James condemns acts of favouritism. Often we treat a well-dressed, impressive-looking person better than someone who looks shabby.  We do this because we would rather identify with successful people than with apparent failures.  The irony, as James reminds us, is that the supposed winners may have gained their impression life-style at our expense.  In addition, the rich find it difficult to identify with the Lord Jesus, who came as a humble servant.  Are you easily impressed by status, wealth, or fame?  Are you partial to the “haves” while ignoring the “have nots”?  This attitude is sinful.  God views all people as equals, and if he favours anyone, it is the poor and the powerless.  We should follow his example.

(aka Get Behind The Scenes .. Of a Bank)

[PLATE/CAPTION: Shes His heal.]

Get rid of anything that hinders your devotion to God:

The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?  Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep.  They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.  That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction.  I will not be with you any more unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. –  Joshua 7.10-12

Why did Achan’s sin bring judgment on the entire nation?  Although it was one man’s failure, God [Wall] saw it as national disobedience to a national law.  God [Wall] needed the entire nation to be committed to the job they had agreed to do – conquer the land.  Thus, when one person failed, everyone failed.  If Achan’s sin went unpunished, unlimited looting could break out.  The nation as a whole had to take responsibility for preventing this undisciplined disobedience.

Achan’s sin was not merely his keeping some of the plunder (God [Wall] allowed it in some cases), but his disobeying God’s [Wall’s] explicit command to destroy everything connected with Jericho. His sin was indifference to the evil and idolatry of the city, not just a desire for money and clothes.  God [Wall] would not protect Israel’s army again until the sin was removed and the army returned to obeying him without reservation.  God [Wall] is not content with our doing what is right some of the time.  He wants us to do what is right all the time.  We are under his orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him.

Are you loyal to God only when other believers are present?

then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshipped them.  Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the LORD’s commands.  Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.  But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshipping them.  They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. –  Judges 2.16-19

Throughout this period of history Israel went through seven cycles of (1) rebelling against God [Wall], (2) being overrun by enemy nations, (3) being delivered by a God-fearing judge, (4) remaining loyal to God [Wall] under that judge, and (5) again forgetting God [Wall] when the judge died.  We tend to follow the same cycle – remaining loyal to God [Wall] as long as we are near those who are devoted to him.  But when we are on our own, the pressure to be drawn away from God [Wall] increases.  Determine to be faithful to God [Wall] despite the difficult situation you encounter.

Of women who followed Jesus:

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. – Mark 15.47

These women could do very little. They couldn’t speak before the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ defence; they couldn’t appeal to Pilate; they couldn’t stand against the crowds; they couldn’t overpower the Roman guards.  But they did what they could.  They stayed at the cross when the disciples had fled; they followed Jesus’ body to its tomb; and they prepared spices for his body.  Because these women used the opportunities they had, they were the first to witness the resurrection.  God [Wall] blessed their devotion and diligence.  As believers, we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.

Fades quickly when based on wrong things:

Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. –  John 12.18

The people flocked to Jesus because they had heard about his great miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead. Their adoration was short-lived and their commitment shallow, for in a few days they would do nothing to stop his crucifixion.  Devotion based only on curiosity or popularity fades quickly.

EXTRA

(‘   And Joshua said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?  If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!  O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?  The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe [Crown] out our name from the earth.  What then will you do for your own great name?!”  – Joshua 7.7-9.    Imagine praying this way to God [Wall].  This is not a formal church prayer; it is the prayer of a man who is afraid and confused by what is happening around him.  Joshua poured out his real thoughts to God [Wall].  Hiding your needs from God [Wall] is ignoring the only one who can really help.  God [Wall] welcomes your honest prayers and wants you to express your true feelings to him.  Any believer can become more honest in prayer by remembering that God [Wall] is all-knowing and all-powerful and that his love is everlasting.)

(‘   “Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God [Wall] of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel.  You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.  – Joshua 7.13  “Consecrate yourselves” meant that the Israelites were to undergo purification rites like those mentioned in 3.5 when they were preparing to cross the Jordan River.  Such rites prepared the people to approach God [Wall] and constantly reminded them of their sinfulness and his holiness.)

(‘   They forsook the LORD, the God [Wall] of their fathers [Up], who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshipped various gods of the peoples around them.  They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.  In his anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them.  He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.  Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them.  They were in great distress.  – Judges 2.12-15   God [Wall] often saved his harshest criticism and punishment for those who worshipped idols.  Why were idols so bad in God’s [Wall’s] sight?  To worship an idol violated the first two of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.3-6).  The Canaanites had gods for almost every season, activity, or place.  To them, the Lord was just another god to add to their collection of gods.  Israel, by contrast, was to worship only the Lord.  They could not possibly believe that God [Wall] was the one true God [Wall] and at the same time bow to an idol.  Idol worshippers could not see their god as their creator because they created him.  These idols represent sensual, carnal, and immoral aspects of human nature.  God’s [Wall’s] nature is spiritual and moral. Adding the worship of idols to the worship of God [Wall] could not be tolerated.)

(‘   Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.  –  Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.  – Judges 2.15, 16 Despite Israel’s disobedience, God [Wall] showed his great mercy by raising up judges to save the people from their oppressors.  Mercy has been defined as “not giving a person what he or she deserves”.  This is exactly what God [Wall] did for Israel and what he does for us.  Our disobedience demands judgment!  But God [Wall] shows mercy towards us by providing an escape from sin’s penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin.  When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve.  Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ’s saving work on our behalf, we can experience God’s [Wall’s] forgiveness.)

(‘   Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshipped them. Unlike their fathers [Up], they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers [Up] had walked, the way of obedience to the LORD’S commands.  – Judges 2.17   Why would the people of Israel turn so quickly from their faith in God [Wall]?  Simply [pout] put, the Canaanite religion appeared more attractive to the sensual nature and offered more short-term benefits (sexual permissiveness and increased fertility in childbearing and farming). One [Private] of its most attractive features was that people could remain selfish and yet fulfil their religions requirements.  They could do almost anything they wished and still be obeying at least one of the many Canaanite gods.  Male and female prostitution were not only allowed, but encouraged as forms of worship.  –  Faith in the one [Private] true God [Wall], however, does not offer short-term benefits that appeal to our sinful human nature.  The essence of sin is selfishness; the essence of God’s [Wall’s] way of life is selflessness.  We must seek Christ’s help to live God’s [Wall’s] way.)

(So Joseph brought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. – Mark 15.46 This tomb was probably a man-made cave hewn from a hill.  It was large enough to walk into.  Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body, placed it in the tomb, and rolled a heavy stone across the entrance.  The religious leaders also watched where Jesus was buried.  They stationed guards by the tomb and sealed the stone to make sure that no-one would steal Jesus’ body and claim he had risen from the dead (Matthew 27.62-66).

(‘   When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb – Mark 16.1, 2   The women purchased the spices on Saturday evening after the Sabbath had ended so they could go to the tomb early the next morning and anoint Jesus’ body as a sign of love, devotion, and respect.  Bringing spices to the tomb was like bringing flowers to a grave today.)

(‘ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realise that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.  – John 12.16   After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples understood for the first time many of the prophecies that they had missed along the way.  Jesus’ words and actions took on new meaning and made more sense.  In retrospect, the disciples saw how Jesus had led them into a deeper and better understanding of his truth.  Stop now and think about the events in your life leading up to where you are now.  How has God [Wall] led you to this point?  As you grow older, you will look back and see God’s [Wall’s] involvement more clearly than you do now.)

(‘   Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, “Sire,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”  – John 12.20, 21   These Greeks probably were converts to the Jewish faith.  They may have gone to Philip because, though he was a Jew, he had a Greek name.)

[PLATE/CAPTION: Arm Me Boardroom]

Don’t modify it to match your opinions:

who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.  –  2 Timothy 2.18

The false teachers were denying the resurrection of the body. They believed that when a person became a Christian, he or she was spiritually reborn, and that was the only resurrection there would ever be.  To them, resurrection was symbolic and spiritual, not physical.  Paul clearly taught, however, that believers will be resurrected after they die, and that their bodies as well as their souls will live eternally with Christ (1 Corinthians 15.35; 2 Corinthians 5.1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4.15-18).  We cannot shape the doctrines of Scripture to match our opinions.  If we do, we are putting ourselves above God.  Instead, our beliefs should be consistent with God’s word.

Don’t modify yours because of pressure:

2 Timothy 3:14

Helps you recognise false teaching:

For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. – Jude 4

Some people avoid studying the Bible because they think theology is dry and boring. Those who refuse to learn correct doctrine, however, are susceptible to false teaching because they are not fully grounded in God’s truth.  We must understand the basic doctrines of our faith so that we can recognise false doctrines and prevent wrong teaching from undermining our faith and hurting others.

EXTRA

(JUDE 1 – Even some of our churches today have false (“godless”) teachers who have secretly slipped in” and are twisting the Bible’s teachings to justify their own opinions, life-style, or wrong behaviour. In doing this, they may gain temporary freedom to do as they wish, but they will discover that in distorting Scripture they are playing with fire.  God will judge them for excusing, tolerating, and promoting sin.)

(JUDE 3 – Many first-century false teachers were teaching the Christians could do whatever they liked without fear of God’s punishment. They had a light view of God’s holiness and his justice.  Paul refuted this same kind of false teaching in Romans 6.1-23.  Even today, some Christians minimise the sinfulness of sin, believing that how they live has little to do with their faith.  But what a person truly believes will show up in how he or she acts.  Those who truly have faith will show it by their deep respect for God and their sincere desire to live according to the principles in his word.)

Find it from God:

…and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” – John 2.10

People look everywhere but to God for excitement and meaning. For some reason, they expect God to be dull and lifeless.  Just as the wine Jesus made was the best, so life in him is better than life on our own.  Why wait until everything else runs out before trying God?  Why save the best until last?

EXTRA

(Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. – John 2.6.  The six stone water jars were normally used for ceremonial washing.  When full, the pots would hold 20 to 30 gallons.  According to the Jews’ ceremonial law, people became symbolically unclean by touching objects of everyday life.  Before eating, the Jews would pour water over their hands to cleanse themselves of any bad influences associated with what they had touched.)

(This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.  – John 2.11.  When the disciples saw Jesus’ miracle, they believed.  The miracle showed his power over nature and revealed the way he would go about his ministry – – helping others, speaking with authority, and being in personal touch with people.)

(Miracles are not merely superhuman events, but events that demonstrate God’s power. Almost every miracle Jesus did was a renewal of fallen creation – restoring sight, making the lame walk, even restoring life to the dead.  Believe in Christ not because he is a superman but because he is the God who continues his creation, even in those of us who are poor, weak, crippled, orphaned, blind, deaf, or with some other desperate need for re-creation.)