Matthew 4:19,20
‘And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.’
Luke’s gospel tells the bigger story. Jesus asked Simon and Andrew if he could use their boat to preach from. He does. Upon completion Jesus asks Simon to go further out and drop the nets. Simon said they had fished all night and caught nothing, but that they would do so if Jesus wished. They end up hauling in a hug catch of fish. So much so that their nets are tearing and the boats are sinking. They follow Jesus.
God does miracles for us. Anyone that has walked with Christ witnesses it. Usually small things that only we see. A door opens or closes. Insight is gained or peace given. A mind is changed and so on. God does this all the time. He is alive and living within us. Of course we would see the evidence of it. He is the creator and sustainer of all. He does miracles.
There are other times when the miracles are big. Like this one in the passage. Others witness it. God does this as well. They aren’t common, but they happen. The results are the same. Many are blessed and draw closer to God.
I do need to qualify this. Jesus said that an evil generation seeks a sign. His miracles didn’t persuade all. Luke 16:31 says, “Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” That’s surprising. It would seem that the miracle would be proof enough, but it’s not.
This is interesting. The miracle was enough for Peter. But for some it’s not. Many of the pharisees of Jesus time either saw or heard reports of Jesus’ miracles. Yet they put Him to death. Jesus gives some insight in Matthew 16:4, “You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times?” They were blind.
I Corinthians 2:14 says, “The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” This is the reason. So why do some unbelievers get it? Either their hearts are seeking or they are open. Matthew 13:15 says, ‘For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ He speaks of the closing of the eyes and the ignoring what’s heard. Some hear it and say, “Not now.”
I heard Don Stewart say that belief is often a matter of the will. Some don’t want to change their lives. That’s it. It must have been a big change for Simon and Andrew to walk away from his fishing business. Particularly Simon as he was married. It’s rarely convenient to come to Christ. There is often an upending of one’s circumstances that precedes it.
Faith doesn’t require miracles. John 20:29 says, ‘Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”’ Miracles have their place and they help. However when it comes down to it faith is needed. Faith is trusting, but it’s more than that. It’s a gift from God. We still have to exercise it, but it’s from God. It’s imparted to us as we approach Him.
Lord, thank You for the miracles. Thank You for faith. Without it we wouldn’t be able to trust in You