Matthew 4:18-22 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The ministerial vocation.

The Sea of Galilee, on the shore of which Jesus walked, was an inland lake of about six miles broad and seventeen long. It was surrounded by a varied scenery of mountain and valley, amidst which were embosomed several populous villages and towns. Henceforth this region was destined to become the theatre of many a wonderful history. The history before us invites attention to a vocation, a voice, and persons called.

I. THE VOCATION .

1 . The call was to the Christian ministry.

(a) They have to forsake their property. They left their nets and boats by which they had their living.

(b) They have to sacrifice their worldly prospects. Simon and Andrew, when called, had their nets in the sea; but they did not wait to haul them in. The call of Christ to work for him, like the call of death, breaks the thread in the shuttle before the piece is woven.

(c) They have to renounce the comforts and endearments of home. They left their father and the servants (cf. Matthew 8:19-22 ; Luke 14:26 , Luke 14:27 ).

2 . The call was a promotion from the secular to the spiritual.

3 . It was a call to holy association.

(1) In the first place, a more intimate and constant association with Jesus. If ministers have not closer communion with Christ than other persons the fault is their own. Their very profession brings them into the closest relations to him, as they lead the devotion of the Churches, and carry the messages of God to men. The message of the true minister is not simply from the written Word, but, in the written Word, from the living God.

II. THE VOICE .

1 . It is a voice of authority.

2 . The authority of the voice is certified.

III. THE PERSONS CALLED .

1 . They were not men of rank.

2 . But they were men of character.

(a) Disciples of the Baptist. Therefore repentant as to sin, expectant as to salvation.

(b) Disciples of Jesus. Those are welcomed to the joys of faith who have been disciplined to repentance.