MATTHEW 4:18-22 – 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.

THEME OF THE DAY. WEIGHING THE COST. When we read our Bibles, there are numerous things to look for in helping us understand the meaning of the passage, the main emphasis in the passage, and the important application from the passage. For instance, Jesus often used terms like, “Truly, truly” or “I say to you” to draw our attention to some truth demanding great attention. Another technique we find to help us in reading and studying our Bibles is the use of repetition. As we read, and we encounter words or phrases repeated in a short span of verses, stop and take heed. There is an important truth and sure application to grasp. Such is today’s scripture. Go back and read these five verses looking for repetition. We will find one word applying to two different groups of would be disciples. It is the word “immediately”.

The setting of this “immediately” is Jesus calling two different groups of men to become His disciples. Group one is Simon (called Peter) and Andrew. Group two is the “sons of thunder”, James and John. The call is the same for both, but each group illustrates two “price tags” one must consider in becoming a disciple of the Lord. Even though this costly call of Jesus was to the original apostles, the principle and cost remain the same for all who would follow Him.

First is the cost of oneself. All of oneself. Not a piece of oneself. Notice the words of Jesus. He said, “Follow me.” He didn’t say, “Give me a little of your time.” Nor did He say, “Fit me into your already neatly laid out life and follow me as you can.” No. The authoritative Jesus – God in the flesh – gave a command to Peter and Andrew that meant, “Give up all you are; hold nothing back and follow me for the rest of your lives.” And this is where all true discipleship begins. We don’t make a decision for Christ. We surrender to the Lordship of Christ and that means in everything for all time. But there was more Jesus placed upon these would be disciples and we find that in the call of James and John.

In calling James and John Jesus reveals the second cost before anyone who would follow Him. It would be the most difficult of costs to pay but pay we must if we are truly going to be His disciples. Like Peter and Andrew, these two men would give up their lives and livelihood. Each abandoned their fishing occupations. But now the cost went higher. Ponder Matthew’s words . . . . Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. When I read this, I wonder if dad tried to talk his sons out of giving up the family business to follow this unknown Man named Jesus. Did he plead with his sons to continue his legacy? Whether or not those conversations happened, doesn’t matter. James and John were willing to pay the cost of putting the Lord ahead of their family. Now please don’t misinterpret this or me. This is not a call to be irresponsible in our families. It is the call to ensure family doesn’t come before the Lord. This might be hard especially when we have unsaved close family members, or maybe a spouse isn’t a believer or just not as committed as he or she should be. Regardless, following Jesus truly means we cannot place family above Him. He will not allow it. I know this is tough but take time soon and read the following portion of scripture in Luke’s gospel. It shows how seriously Jesus addresses this issue of trying to put family relationships either equal or above the relationship with Him (Luke 14:25-33). As we read it, notice the use of repetition with the phrase “cannot be my disciple.”

Weighing the cost of discipleship. It is high, but worth it, not only for what it means, but because of Him who called us to weigh it.

PRAYER: “Father, help me hold all I have in life – my relationships and resources – with open hands before You.”

QUOTE: “Everything and everyone we have in life comes from God. Live, not as an owner, but good steward of all.”