1st Century Jewish Children would have begun their education at age 4 or 5 in “Beth Sepher” (elementary school) — this was open to both boys and girls.

Beth Madrash began at 12 or 13 and was reserved for boys at the top of the class (top 20%). For boys who made the cut that time from 12/13 —> 18 would have been both intense Biblical studies with a ton of memorisation as well as learning the family trade.

The top 1% out of that group would be selected to go on — these young men would approach a Rabbi they admired and ask to be his disciple. Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John would, in all likelihood, have gone beyond Beth Sepher. They would have stopped the academics at that point and gone on to full time training in the family trade — in this case fishing on the sea of Galilee. 

When Jesus comes along — sees these 4 young men, recognises the potential in each of them — he is flipping the customary order on its head. Jesus asks them instead of them asking Jesus. He is selecting 4 guys who only completed the first phase of education. 

Application: Jesus is still calling disciples, he is calling you. He is saying, “I don’t care what test you failed, what grade point average you didn’t attain, what job interview didn’t work out.” Jesus has looked past every external marker in you and I & he has looked deep into our hearts. He has absolutely seen the sin and our failings but beyond that he has seen what each of us can become.

Jesus finishes speaking 
’Put out into deep 
For all 4 fishermen 

A) Ummm…clearly you are an amazing Rabbi but we know our business — you are going to tell us how to fish? 
B) We catch fish at those transition times — light to dark, dark to light — it’s now the bright sunshine of the mid morning — you want us to fish now? 
 
That’s why Peter mildly protests. 


“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” 


Peter is about to move from “impressed” to “impacted”. These 4 fisherman have their minds blown. This is full out miraculous. They have never caught this much at one time — it’s like a dream come true. They know this does not happen when you throw out a net in the late morning sun — no chance — the fish have gone down deeper in the lake. 


Peter knows this is no fluke, no accident, this is a work of God Almighty. It hits Peter, “I am in the presence of full out holiness. 
Woah — I’m a rough, crude joking fisherman.” 
Go away from me Lord. I can’t be in your presence. 


Application: 
Now every single one of us has felt that way at some point in our 
lives. 


I lied, I betrayed a friend, I cheated on my taxes, I was a bad employee at work, I chickened out when someone asked me about my faith. Lord, I’m not worthy — get away from me — I’m a sinful man, I’m a sinful woman, I’m a teenager who messed up royally. 
JESUS — the living, walking talking definition of the Good News of the Gospel — stops Peter and commands him and commands us “Do Not Be Afraid.” 

It’s the same for you and I in our contexts. Our families, our friends, our jobs and our recreation. We may have moments when we don’t feel worthy but that is the exact moment where Jesus Christ, the risen Lord of Glory steps in and says “Do Not Be Afraid. Follow me.” 

As we finish up today I want to encourage you that being a disciple is absolutely an everyday thing. It has its big moments where fireworks go off and you are called to risk big and attempt something wild for Jesus but it is also in the small moments.


**Lori and the Persian New Year Guy at the Grocery Store** 


Answer Jesus’ call to discipleship church — whether it is a big moment like sharing your testimony to your neighbour or its in the small everyday way you love and serve your neighbours or strangers in the grocery store line up. “From now on you will fish for people."