The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES
Lesson Plan:
1. Year of Beginnings
2. Imprisonment of John the Baptist (v 14)
3. The Mission of Jesus (vs 14, 15)
4. Preparing Material (v 15)
5. Four Fishermen (vs 16, 17)
6. Call of the Four (vs 16-20)
7. Examples of their Work and Methods (vs 21-28)
Lesson Setting:
Time: A.D. 28. A little more than a year after the temptation in the wilderness.
Place: In the vicinity of Capernaum on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, which Jesus made the center of His Galilean ministry.
Place in the Life of Christ: The early part of His long Galilean ministry. The second year of His ministry, the first being in Judea, and recorded chiefly by John.
Rulers: Tiberius, emperor of Rome; Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea; Herod Antipas of Galilee.
The Beginnings of Christ’s Work: In our last lesson we studied the final preparations of Jesus for entering upon the ministry of His life, the transforming of this world into the Kingdom of God. That new era, like the rising sun in the morning, was just touching the earth with its blessed rays. We must glance at the successive stages in the development of His work, in order to understand the epoch which is the main subject of this lesson. It is worth noting that all of the first three Gospels begin their story of the ministry of Jesus with His work in Galilee more than a year after His baptism. Why? Probably because it was at this time that His disciples begin to be permanently with Him, and they could report what they themselves had seen and heard. They were eye witnesses. They had spent all their life in Galilee, and near Capernaum, and were familiar with the people. They preached what they knew to be facts – the facts that made the deepest impression on their memories. And this preaching repeated from day to day for years became the general knowledge of the first Christians.
1. Year of Beginnings
Introduction to Christ’s Work in Galilee: It was natural that Jesus should begin His work in the central home of the religion of the Old Testament which contained the prophecies of the Messiah. Here was the Temple of worship. Here was the most study about the Scriptures. Here were the most active formal religionists. Here it was expected that the Messiah would appear. Nearby, His forerunner John the Baptist was preaching the coming of the Messiah, and preparing the way in the hearts of men. But the work went on very slowly. It was difficult to get any momentum. The humble Teacher, without one outward sign of kingship and yet coming as the Messiah, stood against the picture of the Messiah in the minds of the people, as a glorious monarch, overthrowing their Roman oppressors, with rank and power and magnificence out- dazzling all the kings of the earth. How could He gain followers rapidly?
Illustration: Children know how airplanes start a flight. On wheels first, pushed forward by engine power, moving on the runway faster and faster, until it slowly ascends from the earth and sails like a bird in the air.
This year (chiefly in A.D. 27) is recorded only by John. The chief events were the first: (a) Disciples, (b) Miracle, (c) Reform, (d) Discourse, (e) Tour and (f) Converts in Samaria.
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14
2. Imprisonment of John the Baptist
v 14 ... "After that John was put in prison," (A.D. 28). This event marked the close of John's ministry, and the beginning of Jesus' long Galilean ministry. It was a crisis in events. Why did Jesus leave Judea at this time? Could it be that He saw that it was no longer safe to remain near the scene of John's labors? Could it be that because John could not continue his message, Jesus was impelled to take it up and enlarge it? Could it be that the growing jealousy of the Pharisees toward the new Teacher (Jn. 4:1) rendered a longer stay in Judea dangerous and unprofitable? After all, it was Jerusalem, not Galilee that shed the blood of the prophets. Could it be because Jesus Himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country (Jn. 4:44)? In addition to these possible reasons, Galilee was more open-minded to new teachings, less bound to the old order and ideas, and traditions. We gain some light on this movement, from the story of John's bold rebuke of Herod for his disgraceful conduct, and Herod's putting him in prison as told in Mark 6:17-20. Herod's conduct was not only a disgraceful example before the people, but was the occasion of a threatening invasion.
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14, 15
3. The Mission of Jesus
The mission of Jesus was to bring the blessings of the kingdom of God to all the world, "preaching the Gospel" (v 14) – the Good News "of God" "to the people which sat in darkness ... and in the region and shadow of death" (Matt. 4:17). "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven as it is often called, is that state, and in that place wherever it may be, where men live in accordance with the principles and laws of God, which makes heaven heaven. It is in every heart and in every place where God is the chosen King. For every loyal member of His kingdom has freely chosen God as his King, and therefore "the kingdom of God" and "the Republic of God" are the same thing under different names, with equal and perfect freedom of service. And Christ's mission is to establish this in every individual, and all the earth with all the physical blessings which are its fruit and its instruments. Like the motto on the reverse of the United States great seal, Novus Ordo Seculorum, a new order of the ages had begun for the individual and for the nation.
4. Preparing Material
v 15 ... "The time is fulfilled." In God's providence, the Old Testament training, the political and religious situations, and the development of the Jews, had now come to that point where it was most opportune for the coming of the Son of God and the inauguration of the new kingdom of God, with its new forces, powers and inspirations. The first essential for this kingdom was that it have citizens, that men should be transformed into citizens, obedient to its laws, giving allegiance to its King, and filled with its spirit. Hence the proclamation,
v 15 ... "repent ye," change your mind, your heart, your supreme love, your allegiance, from the kingdom of evil, of selfishness, to the kingdom of heaven, of God, of Jesus Christ His Son. Repentance is a change of mind resulting in a change of conduct and direction. The emphasis is on the change of mind and heart and direction, rather than on the sorrow which is the impulse that leads to the change of conduct.
v 15 ... "And believe the gospel," "Believe in the Gospel," not merely believe it, but trust yourself to it, accept it as true, so that you commit yourself wholly to its teachings, trust your whole life to its principles and its hopes. Here was a motive for repentance. Here was the good news of a kingdom worth giving up everything else to obtain.
The First Essential of a Kingdom Lies in Good Citizens. Its first work is to gain these citizens. It is impossible to make a good state out of bad people. You cannot make a golden age out of leaden instincts. Behind the problem of a better social order lies the problem of the better man. Hence the first message of the Gospel is necessarily "Repent." Conversion is the only means by which a radically bad person can be changed into a radically good person, whether the process be gradual or sudden. This tremendous revolution in personality signifies a new birth, transforming Saul of Tarsus into Paul the Apostle. Repentance: a change of mind ... New mind about God; Conversion – a change of life ... New life for God; Regeneration – change of nature ... New heart for God; Justification – a change of state ... New standing with God; Adoption – a change of family ... New relationship toward God; Sanctification – change of service ... Separation unto God; Glorification – a change of place ... New condition with God.
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:16, 17 (Also read Matt. 4:18, 20; Lk. 5:1-10)
5. Four Fishermen
v 16 ... "As he walked by the sea of Galilee." Luke fills out the story. Jesus as He was walking one morning by the seashore among the multitudes, entered Simon Peter's boat and preached to them. Peter and his companions had been fishing all night, toiling in vain. After His sermon, Jesus bade Peter try again, and now a great multitude of fishes were taken so that it was all that two boats could do to hold them. All this was an object lesson. The four fishermen were two sets of brothers, "Simon" and "Andrew," "James" and "John." (v 16). It will help us to understand the call, and to gain lessons for our own lives, if we become better acquainted with these four men. They all belonged in this region by the lake. Each one had his own individuality.
Peter – This was the name Jesus gave as a prophecy to Simon-bar-Jonah, or in English, Simon Johnson. But he became Peter, so that in his later years and throughout all time he is known only as Peter. The timid deer of the Gospel story were transformed into lions of the Acts. Peter was originally hot-headed, impulsive, and fearless of consequences; but he had initiative, boldness, and leadership. With him at the lead there was always something doing. The church with him as a leader would never perish of rust.
Andrew – Peter's brother was his counterpart, a man of business wisdom. He would be conservative more than a radical. When Jesus fed the 5,000, he was on the committee of Ways and Means. Later when some Greeks asked Philip how they could see Jesus, Philip appeals to Andrew "as a man who will imperil nothing by a mistake." The name Andrew will always be remembered because as soon as he found Jesus, he sought his brother to bring him to Jesus.
James – Seems to have been the elder of the two brothers, and the captain of his boat, for in the Gospels and the Acts he is always mentioned first. John seems to have been quite young. The work of the Gospel needs the powers of both the old and the young. Age has much to teach youth, and youth has much to teach age.
John – The youthful "son of thunder," became "the disciple whom Jesus loved," the very embodiment of love. Of these four the greatest were Peter and John, and largely because of the greater intensity of their nature.
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:16-20 (Also read Lk. 5:8-11)
6. Call of the Four
v 16 ..."Simon (he had not yet become Peter), and Andrew." These were working at their business, casting their nets.
v 17 ... "Come ye after me," that is, leave your work and be aids in my work.
v 17 ... "And I will make you ... fishers of men." They were to use all the skill they had gained in learning to fish, but in a far higher, nobler, more difficult sphere.
v 18 ... "Straightway," without hesitation.
v 18 ... "they forsook their nets," they gave up their business, which had just become unusually successful.
v 19 ... "James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother." Note the order of mention, the elder brother then the younger.
v 19 ... "Mending their nets," or as the word also means, "arranging their nets," carefully placing them in neat folds, all ready for heaving instantly over the side. These left their father as well as their business. It was probably a more profitable business than Peter's, in a larger boat which contained their father and servants as well as the two brothers. All four made their life-choice at this time. It was the parting of the ways. They chose that way which, amid many hardships and trials, led upward to blessings inconceivable to them at the time.
First: It was a call to a higher service. All of them had been with Jesus before. They were believers in Him. They had seen some of His works, and listened to His teachings, with others. They had been in Jesus' preparatory school, and they had been such faithful students, had shown such possibilities that Jesus now said to them, Come up higher. Simon was growing to be Simon Peter, the two natures still struggling together. From fishers in the sea to fishers of men. They were to be makers of the greatest kingdom; doing the greatest work with the greatest motives, using the greatest powers, and with the greatest success. There is nothing possible to man that is better or greater.
Illustration: In a certain city lived a very skillful maker of violins, one of the best in the country, perhaps the world. With the choicest material, the most delicate skill, the most enduring patience, he made marvelous violins. But they were so precious to him that he would never sell them; they hung voiceless in his small shop while he lived, instead of singing their sweet strains in many places. Such is the one who refuses the call to serve God, to be a fisher of men for the kingdom of God. He need not always leave his business, his daily labors. For every daily duty and care and work, is like a violin full of the music of heaven. It is our privilege to call out this music for the good of man, and belong to the heavenly choir of service for man that hastens the kingdom of God in the world.
It is sad to be without a heavenly country, the kingdom of God to love and serve through serving your fellowmen; an object of living, a purpose, an aim that transforms all business, all duties, all pleasures, and all trials into instruments for making this world a heavenly country.
Second: The peculiar Fitness of the Four. They were everyday men. Suppose that our Lord had selected His first disciples out of rare and elevated natures – men who never would have doubted, or flinched from peril, or acted on the lower motive, when a higher was possible. If He had done so, the Gospels would have been far less to us than they are now. We would no doubt have said that it was a beautiful story, full of religious poetry, but unable to take hold of, and touch people like us. But in fact Jesus chose His first disciples from just such people as we are today. It shows what the everyday man can become. Again, these men were faithful in their daily duties. They were successful men with a degree of success which may be general in any community. Faithfulness in our own business enables us to be faithful in the Lord's business.
Third: Jesus teaches them the true method by an object lesson. No human occupation has ever so perfectly illustrated the art of soul-winning as that of the fisherman. Patience, knowledge of the interests of his fish, knowledge of the bait that will attract fish, faith in things unseen, skill, delicacy of touch, refusal to be discouraged, unlimited perseverance, conviction that he has not yet exhausted the possibilities of his art – all these and more make the true fisherman. They reveal the moral qualities that we must have to lead our fellowmen to God. And the very maxims of this art disclose the true method of the successful and spiritual Bible school teacher. He first sent them forth to catch fish in the Sea of Galilee. Long hours alone without success – But at His word they had marvelous success; their nets were ready to break. This is true of mission work today; it is true of Bible school teachers who are doing God's work in God's way. The work grows almost too heavy for them. They were, in Luke's phrase (v 10) to "catch men" alive. It is for life not death that men are taken by the Gospel fishermen. God wants live men. Moreover the form of the verb in the Greek is literally, thou shalt be catching. The participle and finite verb denoting that this is to be his habitual calling. Two great fishing principles stand out in the record of Christ's winning disciples and ignoring these principles in practice is a common cause of failure. To put them in fishing terms, there are: (a) the use of bait, and (b) the choice of bait that will appeal to the fish. The best human bait in the world is honest, sincere commendation. The surest way to drive men from us is to condemn and/or criticize. It is wonderful how little fault Jesus found with His imperfect disciples. His first word to Simon was to tell him that he could be, and Jesus expected him to become, Peter. Setting His disciples to do something was a compliment. And working together always draws people together. There are two methods of fishing – one by the net, catching fish in large masses; the other by the line, catching them one by one. Jesus used both methods: personal work and great enthusiastic meetings. A fisherman has three basic rules for catching trout. The first is keep thyself out of sight; the second is keep yourself farther out of sight; and the third is keep yourself farther still out of sight. Experience in Christian work confirms these basic rules. It is necessary for the workers' own inward power; it is necessary in its power of influencing others. The successful, spiritual Christian is like an engine hidden in the depths of the vessel that makes the ship go; always letting others sit on the bowsprit, waving the flag. The net or the line is useless without a person behind it. Even the printed word is comparatively weak without the living presence of one filled with its spirit. Personal power of character is the most powerful influence upon the souls of others. It is soul that inspires soul.
Practical Suggestion: Here is a table of contents, an excellent suggestion for teachers of this lesson. These four men were chosen by the Master: (a) To hear what He says, (b) To see what He does, and (c) To learn what He is. They were sent forth by the Master: (a) With a message, (b) With a program, (c) With a personality. Jesus having called His disciples by word and illustration, immediately gives them ...
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28
7. Examples of Their Work and Methods
First: Teaching: "He entered into the synagogue and taught" (v 21). It was on the Sabbath. This is one way Jesus kept the Sabbath. v 22 ... "He taught them as one that had authority," the authority of knowledge, the authority of personal experience. He had been with God, and knew God's truth and had lived it. No one can teach effectively except so far as he can teach with the authority of God's Word and revelation, experienced and lived.
Second: Jesus came in direct contact with the evil in the world, overcoming it. The evil was represented by an unclean spirit in a man, defiling and ruining him, both in body and soul. Like all evil, this spirit cried out. It wanted to be let alone. It was bitterly opposed to reform, and to Jesus Christ who is the very soul of reform, and the greatest power in the world to create reform. Jesus delivered the man from this power of evil, made a new man of him. The struggle was very great. Evil never yields easily. But Christ triumphed. No wonder that the people were astonished at the new teaching and new power.
