Concordia TheoBLOGical Seminary

The Sea of Galilee had fishermen a dime a dozen. Sons of Jonah and those of Zebedee casting their nets to make a wage. They were looking for fish in order to find bread. Little did they know they would find bread from heaven. He walked their way, almost into their boats. “Follow me,” he says…and Zebedee is left to mend his nets alone. Epiphany 3’s Gospel reading (Matthew 4 [show]Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets 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. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (ESV)
: Series A) sets the stage for three years of exciting and engaging “seminary” for Peter, Andrew, James, and John…one that would lead them through to the cross, to Pentecost, and into all the world. God walks right into the lives of weak and sinful men and picks them - all because he likes them.

That’s right, he still does it today. He walks right into the lives of fishermen, tent makers, teachers, mechanics, engineers, athletic trainers, police officers, fire fighters, and so many more…he walks right up to them, sometimes getting into their boat and says, “Follow me.” It comes as a surprise and sometimes an unbelievable act, but God became Man to be a part of the lives of men. He uses men to spread his love and tell you how much he enjoys you. These men bring Jesus to your place and place him in your ears (and eyes) and in your mouth. Jesus uses them to wrap Himself around you.

The Sons of Zebedee (sometimes called the Sons of Thunder) started something new that day…by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is still calling men to serve as preachers of His Word…have you thought about fishing for Jesus? Check out Concordia Theological Seminary. There is a boat waiting for you. Will you serve the church?