基督的呼召和彼得的回应
马太福音四章17至25节
17从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：“天国近了，你们应当悔改！”
18耶稣在加利利海边行走，看见弟兄二人，就是那称呼彼得的西门和他兄弟安得烈，在海里撒网；他们本是打鱼的。
19耶稣对他们说：“来，跟从我！我要叫你们得人如得鱼一样。”
20他们就立刻舍了网，跟从了他。
21从那里往前走，又看见弟兄二人，就是西庇太的儿子雅各和他兄弟约翰，同他们的父亲西庇太在船上补网，耶稣就招呼他们。
22他们立刻舍了船，别了父亲，跟从了耶稣。
23耶稣走遍加利利，在各会堂里教训人，传天国的福音，医治百姓各样的病症。
24他的名声就传遍了叙利亚。那里的人把一切害病的，就是害各样疾病、各样疼痛的和被鬼附的、癫痫的、瘫痪的，都带了来，耶稣就治好了他们。
25当下，有许多人从加利利、低加坡里、耶路撒冷、犹太、约旦河外来跟着他。
信息分享
在加利利湖捕鱼在当时似乎是一个蓬勃的行业。彼得和兄弟安得烈在湖东北面的伯赛大成长。后来，他们在湖西北面的迦百农作业，可能因为他们在该城有更好的鱼生意。迦百农是一个较大的城巿，不少罗马士兵驻扎其中。
此刻，彼得面对一个挑战：「来跟从我。不要再出海捕鱼，我会给你机会，让你得人如得鱼，带领他们相信我。」
毫不迟疑地，彼得、安得烈、雅各和约翰四人立即撇下一切跟从了基督。这是一个何等重大的决定！却是他们永不后悔的一个决定。当时有许多渔夫，但我们知道他们的名字吗？只有这四名渔夫，他们的名字却永垂不朽，我们将来更会在天家与他们见面。
我们的主仍然在呼召人去跟从祂。有些人将在背后默默事奉，远离光环；其中有些人恩赐在帮助，而他们的工作却能建立其他人的公开事奉。
你对基督的呼召作出了甚么回应呢？愿意到基督为你安排的地方去服侍祂吗？全心全意的回应之后，是多年忠心耿耿的服侍吗？你为基督所做的一切，基督都一一看见，并记录在永恒里。
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.