Friday 23rd January
Matthew 4:18-22
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (NIVUK)
Why does Matthew present the calling of the disciples in this way? He does present a summary of all of them later, and the specific calling of Matthew. But here, just as he is about to introduce Jesus’ teaching about the nature of the kingdom of heaven and what the good life looks like, he presents the calling of the two brothers.
Perhaps it is because living in kingdom of heaven ways and teaching others about kingdom of heaven ways requires relationships that are particularly strong? To be called to follow Jesus is never something that can be undertaken, or even responded to, in isolation. It requires the support of a strong community and two lots of two brothers is the most beautiful way to present that essential requirement and truth.
