Matthew 4:17-25
I’m fascinated that we have a God who specializes in changing people. Because many people are hesitant to change. Let me remind you of a few examples from the Bible of God changing people:
- Abram started as a man who worshipped pagan idols, and who had no children; God changed him into Abraham, a worshipper of God and the father of the nation of Israel. He was called the friend of God.
- On his own, Moses decided to lead his people out of Egypt, which resulted in murder and a 40 year exile. But God changed him so that through Moses, God brought His people of slavery and gave His Law. Moses was described by God as the humblest man on earth, and was able to speak to God face to face as one does with a friend.
- David was just a scrawny little shepherd boy, the youngest of his family, from a town that was nothing special. But God made him king of Israel, and the start of the royal line which would eventually culminate in Jesus Christ.
God specializes in changing people, working on the inside to transform their character and actions. The end result is a holy servant whom God is able to use for His glory. Are you willing to let Him change you? Will you humbly submit as He transforms you?
Change 1: You Must Repent (v. 17)
Jesus begins to preach and His message is, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” This is the same message as John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:2).
To repent is a change of mind, a change of heart that leads to a complete change of life. For the Jewish people listening, this was shocking to hear. They must change; they must repent; they must get right with God if they are to enter into the kingdom of heaven!
The implication here is that, on your own, you are not good enough. You have sin in your life, wrongs in your heart that must be removed.
Change 2: You Must Follow Jesus (v. 18-22)
Peter and Andrew are introduced to us here in Matthew 4:18, but they’ve already been introduced to Jesus through John the Baptist (see John 1:35-42). For a time, they had listened to Jesus teach, but then, they
returned to their normal lives as fishermen.
As Jesus walks on the pebbly beach of the Sea of Galilee, He sees Peter and Andrew engaged in their work. They are casting a net for fish, which involved quite a bit of work and not much glamour. The net would be a big circle with weights on the outer edges. From the beach, you threw the net out to spread into a full circle. It falls into the water, the weights pulling the net to sink to the bottom, catching fish and anything else. So it was work to throw the net into the sea, and it was more work to pull it to you on the shore.
To these hardworking fishermen, Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” It’s a call to action – follow me. It’s a promise – I will make you fishers of men. And it’s short on a lot of details we would like: What methods or bait would they use? Why are they catching men? How long would this take?
Peter and Andrew don’t say anything in reply; their actions speak louder than words. “Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.”
Peter and Andrew weren’t anything special by the standards of their day. They weren’t perfect. But they did follow Jesus, and Jesus changed them.
Another pair of brothers were also fishermen nearby, James and John. They are working along side their father in mending their nets. For a fisherman, this was vitally important: no net, no fish; no fish, no money.
Matthew just simply notes that Jesus called them, probably the same words as to Peter and Andrew. James and John didn’t say anything; their actions speak louder than words. “Immediately, they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”
Why Change: A Glimpse of Jesus as King (v. 23-25)
So far in Matthew, we’ve been introduced to who Jesus is, especially King. But what will Jesus do as King? Will He sit idly on His throne? Will He tax His people for His own benefit? In the final verses of Matthew 4, we get a glimpse of what Jesus does as King – and why it is worth it to follow Him.
As King, Jesus reaches out. It’s written almost like an afterthought, but Jesus walking throughout all Galilee was not an easy task. True, Galilee wasn’t that huge of an area, say 60 miles by 30 miles. But the Jewish historian Josephus estimated that it included as many as 204 cities and villages. 35 years after Jesus’ ministry, several sources point to a population of 3 million people in Galilee. Instead of a king who sits back and waits for people to approach him, Jesus makes the effort to visit and be with them.
As King, Jesus speaks truth. Jesus was teaching in the synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. These are two different types of public speaking. In the synagogue would be more formal, with a ceremony and a set time for Jesus to speak. Preaching or proclaiming was more informal, in the open air. But the common thread is Jesus is speaking truth to His people. He’s not a politician making campaign promises. His message of truth was about how each person can be right with the Most Holy God.
As King, Jesus heals all. Matthew gives detail on the various problems that people brought to Jesus
- Every kind of disease
- Every kind of sickness
- Those who were ill
- Suffering, which is the idea of being gripped by affliction
- Pains, which is severe pain associated with torture
- Demoniacs or demon possessed
- Epileptics or lunatics, which are people with uncurable seizures
- Paralytics or handicapped
No matter the type of ailment, no matter the severity of pain, no matter how hopeless it seemed, Jesus healed them all. Not one is turned away because of how busy Jesus is; there are no lengthy process for tests and diagnosis; no insurance forms to fill out; no prescriptions, no pills, no surgery. Just come to Jesus and at His word or touch, be immediately and completely healed!
The news about Him spread throughout all Syria (to the north), the Decapolis (to the east), Jerusalem and Judea (to the south), and beyond the Jordan (long distances away). How far would you travel if you heard about this?
And while the people would come to Jesus for physical healing, He would also speak to them of spiritual healing. Of their need to repent. To believe in Him as King.
So what about you? With such a glimpse of Jesus as King, will you repent? Will you follow Him? Are you willing to let Him change you?
Discussion Questions:
- What did you learn about Jesus from this passage?
- Why do you need Jesus to change or transform you?
- What is something in your life you may need to leave behind to follow Jesus?
- What glimpse of Jesus as King (v. 23-25) most excites or interests you?