基督的呼召和彼得的回應
馬太福音四章17至25節
17從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：“天國近了，你們應當悔改！”
18耶穌在加利利海邊行走，看見弟兄二人，就是那稱呼彼得的西門和他兄弟安得烈，在海裡撒網；他們本是打魚的。
19耶穌對他們說：“來，跟從我！我要叫你們得人如得魚一樣。”
20他們就立刻捨了網，跟從了他。
21從那裡往前走，又看見弟兄二人，就是西庇太的兒子雅各和他兄弟約翰，同他們的父親西庇太在船上補網，耶穌就招呼他們。
22他們立刻捨了船，別了父親，跟從了耶穌。
23耶穌走遍加利利，在各會堂裡教訓人，傳天國的福音，醫治百姓各樣的病症。
24他的名聲就傳遍了敘利亞。那裡的人把一切害病的，就是害各樣疾病、各樣疼痛的和被鬼附的、癲癇的、癱瘓的，都帶了來，耶穌就治好了他們。
25當下，有許多人從加利利、低加坡里、耶路撒冷、猶太、約旦河外來跟著他。
信息分享
在加利利湖捕魚在當時似乎是一個蓬勃的行業。彼得和兄弟安得烈在湖東北面的伯賽大成長。後來，他們在湖西北面的迦百農作業，可能因為他們在該城有更好的魚生意。迦百農是一個較大的城巿，不少羅馬士兵駐扎其中。
此刻，彼得面對一個挑戰：「來跟從我。不要再出海捕魚，我會給你機會，讓你得人如得魚，帶領他們相信我。」
毫不遲疑地，彼得、安得烈、雅各和約翰四人立即撇下一切跟從了基督。這是一個何等重大的決定！卻是他們永不後悔的一個決定。當時有許多漁夫，但我們知道他們的名字嗎？只有這四名漁夫，他們的名字卻永垂不朽，我們將來更會在天家與他們見面。
我們的主仍然在呼召人去跟從祂。有些人將在背後默默事奉，遠離光環；其中有些人恩賜在幫助，而他們的工作卻能建立其他人的公開事奉。
你對基督的呼召作出了甚麼回應呢？願意到基督為你安排的地方去服侍祂嗎？全心全意的回應之後，是多年忠心耿耿的服侍嗎？你為基督所做的一切，基督都一一看見，並記錄在永恒裡。
CHRIST'S CALL AND PETER'S RESPONSE
Matthew 4: 17-25
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
21 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. He called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Message
Fishing in the Sea of Galilee seemed to have been a very prosperous business. Peter and his brother Andrew grew up in Bethsaida, on the northeastern side of the lake. Later they worked out of Capernaum on the northwestern side. It could be that city was a better market for their fish. It was larger and had a number of Roman soldiers living in it too.
Here came the test: “Come follow me. Instead of fishing in the lake, I will give you the opportunity of fishing for men and helping them to believe in me.”
Without any hesitation, Peter, Andrew, James and John responded immediately. What a decision! But it was one they never regretted. What were the names of any other fishermen of that day? They are unknown but the names of that quartette have been known ever since and will be throughout Eternity. We will meet them all ourselves someday.
Our Lord is still calling men and women to follow Him. Some will serve in the shadows away from the limelight. Some of these have the gift of helps and their work makes possible the public ministry of others.
What has been your response? A willingness to serve where Christ has placed you? A ready whole-hearted response which has been followed by years of service? Christ has seen your work. It is counting for Eternity if it has been done as unto the Lord.