Jesus calling us (2)

 

 

 

[Matthew 4:18-22]

 

 

We all need to live a life that follows Jesus closer and closer.  I would like to learn a lesson by thinking about two things.

 

First, what must we do to follow Jesus?

 

We must hear the voice of Jesus calling us: “…  Come, follow me …  and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19).  This is what Jesus said to the fishermen when he saw them casting their nets (v. 18).  When Jesus called them, he gave them a word of promise.  The word of that promise is, “I will make you fishers of men” (v. 19).

 

                Jesus is giving us a higher calling.  We can know this by looking at the fact that when Jesus called Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen by profession (v. 18), he promised to make them fishers of men (v. 19).  Jesus is calling you to “follow me.”  Jesus is giving you a higher calling.  Jesus is giving you the higher calling than your job.  Jesus is calling you to be fishers of men.  He wants to use you to save dying souls by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, when we hear the voice of Jesus saying to us, “Follow me,” we must immediately leave behind the things we should leave behind and follow Jesus.  Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Jesus (v. 20).  James and John immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus (v. 22).

 

                Second, how should we follow Jesus?  What is the life of following Jesus?

 

  • The life of following Jesus is to live as the salt of the world and taste its saltiness in this world.

 

Look at Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”  The role of salt is to flavor food and also to keep food from spoiling.  Likewise, we must, as the salt of the world, live a life that is flavored with the gospel of Jesus Christ in this world and that also prevents corruption in this society.  To do that, we must not only preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with our lips, but also live a life worthy of the gospel with our lives.

 

  • The life of following Jesus is living as the light of the world, illuminating the light of good deeds in this world.

 

Look at Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Jesus is telling us, “In the same way, let your light shine before men.”  Just as people light a lamp and put it on its stand, not under the bowl, so that it can shine on everyone in the house, so Jesus' disciples should let their light shine before people in this world.  Here, the light we need to shine on the people of the world is good deeds (v. 16).  We, as the light of the world, shine our good deeds into the world, so that the world may see our good deeds and glorify our Heavenly Father.  I have thought of this good deeds in three ways:

 

  • Good deeds are living a life of conformity in words and deeds.

 

Look at Matthew 5:19 – “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

 

  • Good deeds are living a life of love.

 

What is life of love?  It is not to be angry with our brothers (v. 22).  And the life of loving our brothers is to be at peace with them (vv. 23-24).  And the life of love is not only to love our brothers but also our enemies (vv. 43-44).  As Christians, we should not only love those whom we love (v. 46).  Such love is a love that even non-believers know how to do (v. 47).  We must love our enemies just as Jesus loved such enemies and sinners like us.

 

  • Good deeds are living holy lives.

 

Look at Matthew 5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  We are God's holy people.  Therefore, we must be holy just as God is holy.  And in that holy life there must be no adultery (v. 27).  In the Old Testament, God commanded not to commit adultery.  But in the New Testament, Jesus says that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart (v. 28).

 

Today, Jesus is calling you through this word of God.  Jesus is telling you, “Follow me.”  And Jesus is giving you the promise: “I will make you fishers of men.”  Jesus is telling you, “You are the salt of the world” and “the light of the world.”  We must taste the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  And we must shine the light of Jesus Christ in this dark world.  We need to let the world see our good deeds, as Jesus commands, so that they may glorify our Heavenly Father.  I hope and pray that all of us will live a life of conformity in words and deeds, a life of love and a holy life.