Bible Study What was it about Him?

[Free]

I've been reading through the gospels again and something that I've thought about before but haven't for quite a while, is what compelled the first few disciples to just abandon their nets and their boats, their livelihoods, and their family the moment that Jesus called out to them. They seem to have literally just dropped everything on the spot and followed him.

Mat 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Mat 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Mat 4:20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Mat 4:21 And 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, and he called them.
Mat 4:22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (ESV)

So what was it about Jesus? What compelled them so strongly and why don't we do the same? Surely it cannot be because we don't physically see him, can it?

 

[Adullam]

I think we are far more cynical nowadays! It shows that the disciples were very child like.

On the other hand Jesus surely was very compelling. I think they saw the love that was not ordinary in others. So they were probably captivated by this!

And on the OTHER hand...wait there is no other hand! ;)

I'm sure that there was an authority in Jesus' voice that was recognized! They responded instinctively!

That's my 2...no 3 cents worth!

 

[Elijah674]

These men as I see it were all taught as Psalm 77:13 Jew's. The true 'SEED' 'was planted' & it was Christ that CALLED them already knowing what that SEED would produce. They were what we might 'see' as backsliders. You do find that none of the top brass (so to speak) were called at this time? Yet, these were humble in their own thinking.

We question the calling? There are many who know NO more about that Calling, than do most perhaps? (Rev. 17:1-5-Num. 16:1-3) But when these one's are CALLED OF GOD, [THEY KNOW IT!]. Another good example as I see it, it that of Saul (Paul) of Acts 9:3-16. But note verse 6? 'WHAT WILL THOU HAVE ME TO DO?' Think of that for a few moments! What had he been doing in Acts 7 + here in verse 1? And where was he sent!??? And why did Christ not just speak the Word of healing Himself? See Matt. 18:17-18 for His Church that He left for this REQUIREMENT.

Bottom/line as I see it, is that many are called but truely few are chosen, and the reason comes from their past seed sowing. That of Christ knowing what the end would become! Luke 22:32 & then Matt. 26:69-75 'when thou [art converted], ..'

And again,it is Christ which knew ones heart and DID THE CALLING! See John 10:16! 'My sheep 'HEAR MY VOICE'! (and again in Rev. 18:4)

--Elijah

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

I've been reading through the gospels again and something that I've thought about before but haven't for quite a while, is what compelled the first few disciples to just abandon their nets and their boats, their livelihoods, and their family the moment that Jesus called out to them. They seem to have literally just dropped everything on the spot and followed him.

Mat 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Mat 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Mat 4:20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Mat 4:21 And 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, and he called them.
Mat 4:22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (ESV)

So what was it about Jesus? What compelled them so strongly and why don't we do the same? Surely it cannot be because we don't physically see him, can it?

During that time, it is likely that a great number of Jews were expecting the advent of the Messiah as per the timeframe layed out by the OT prophets like Daniel.

24 ‘Seventy weeks have been set for your people and the Holy City Zion, in order to finish off sins, to set a seal upon sins, to end Law breaking, to pay for sins, to bring justice through the ages, to put a seal upon the vision and the Prophet, and to anoint the Holy of Holies.
25 ‘So, know this and understand it: From the time when the answer is sent and the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem, until the coming of the Anointed Leader, there will be seven weeks plus sixty-two weeks.

Some things to note:
1. According to Daniel, the Anointed Leader, which is the Jewish Messiah was to come on the scene 483 years (69 "weeks") after the command to rebuild Jerusalem was given. Most Historians say that command was given at or around 455 bc.
2. The people of which Daniel was a part of, the Jews (tribes or Judah and Benjamin) would be given a limited time to get right and end their lawbreaking ways. Within these 70 "weeks" the people could chose to 'get right' or they could continue in their lawlessness. Though not specifically outlined here, one can assertain from this text that there would be a consequence for the Jews should they decide NOT to get things right during the 70 "weeks."
So based on this text, the Messiah was to appear on the scene sometime in the 2nd to 3rd decade A.D. to be Christed (anointed) as the leader (Lord).
The scriptures tell us that the Anointed One was of the Jews and would be sent to the Jews in the early 1st century and that the Anointed One would be given "Leadership" by God. Jesus of Nazareth fits the timeline.

We have the testimonies of Simeon and Anna in Luke's gospel to back this idea as well.

There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a righteous and devout person, who had been awaiting Israel’s comforter, and [God’s] Holy Breath was with him. 26 So it had been divinely shown to him by the Holy Breath that he wouldn’t die before he saw the Anointed of Jehovah. 27 And it was because [God’s] Breath was leading him that he then entered the Temple. Well, while the parents were bringing the boy Jesus in to do what the Law customarily required, 28 [Simeon] took him in his arms and praised God saying:
29 ‘Now, O Sovereign Lord,
You can set Your slave free in peace as You said,
30 For my eyes have seen the one who will save;
31 The one You provided for all men to see;
32 A light of revelation to all the nations,
And a glory to Israel Your people.’

33 Well, [Jesus’] father and mother were amazed at all the things that were being said about him. 34 Simeon also blest them, but he told his mother Mary:
‘Look! This one is headed toward a fall.
For, on behalf of many in Israel he will stand,
As a sign to be slandered.
35 Your life will be pierced with a long sword,
To uncover the things many think in their hearts.’
36 There was also the Prophetess Anna, a daughter of the tribe of Asher. This woman was well up in years and had only been married for seven years from her virginity. 37 She was now an eighty-four-year-old widow who was always at the Temple, worshiping day and night, fasting, and praying. 38 And in that same hour, she stood up and gave thanks to God and talked about [the child] to all those who were awaiting Jerusalem’s release by ransom.

In addition to prophecy, they also had the testimony of John the baptizer.

 

[Bonairos]

I've thought about before but haven't for quite a while, is what compelled the first few disciples to just "abandon" . . . "Jesus called" . . . "dropped everything" . . . "followed him."

why don't we do the same?

Maybe, the woman spoken of in Luke 7 had the(?), an answer?

"But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."


Could the degree in which we love Him, be based on our forgiveness?

Forgiveness based on our confession of sin?

Confession based on our acknowledging we are sinners, in need of Him?


If we don't acknowledge sin, we won't confess sin?
If we don't confess, we won't be forgiven?
If we're not forgiven, we won't love?

"But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."


If so, perhaps the early disciples knew who they were on the inside. There was a thirst within each. When Jesus came on scene, they could not help but respond. There was an acknowledged need that only He could meet.

To the degree they acknowledged their need for Him be the degree they responded?

Maybe we don't drop everything because we don't see our need for Him.


Worth pondering.


In any event it's worth reading again in it's entirety. Luke 7:36-48



Be blessed, Stay blessed, and be Bold!

 

[Elijah674]

Maybe, the woman spoken of in Luke 7 had the(?), an answer?

"But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."


Could the degree in which we love Him, be based on our forgiveness?

Forgiveness based on our confession of sin?

Confession based on our acknowledging we are sinners, in need of Him?


If we don't acknowledge sin, we won't confess sin?
If we don't confess, we won't be forgiven?
If we're not forgiven, we won't love?

"But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."


If so, perhaps the early disciples knew who they were on the inside. There was a thirst within each. When Jesus came on scene, they could not help but respond. There was an acknowledged need that only He could meet.

To the degree they acknowledged their need for Him be the degree they responded?

Maybe we don't drop everything because we don't see our need for Him.


Worth pondering.


In any event it's worth reading again in it's entirety. Luke 7:36-48



Be blessed, Stay blessed, and be Bold!

Hi, 'i' agree!;) Yet, some will say lets sin! So, you best ask the question of which are the worst offenders in God's documention? (Godhead eyes)
And Matt. 10:5-6 + verse 15!?? Judged by far the worse than that of S.& G. And what do these ones of Rev. 17:1-5 say to that? Jer. 17:5

Then we come to Christ Word in Luke 12:47-48, and again Christ's WORD! So, WHO ARE THE ONES WHO SIN MOST, as God see's it? And the last verse might find these ones of Rev. 3:16 the most sickening to Christ in their 'present' SPEWED OUT condition? But, you do point out the difference if one can see it, Christ explains that the 'COLD' are more easily reached & saved that these LUKE/WARM professed ones!

And the ones of Rev. 18:4?? These are the ones who understand that Christ/God requires a love for Him that COMES FIRST before all else!

 

[Webb]

Jesus on the Damascas road with Saul didn't tell Saul what to do because the preaching of the gospel had been given into the hands of "earthern vessels". Saul was told "what to do" in Damascus just as Jesus said he would--Acts 22:16.