In the New Testament book of Matthew, chapter four, there is a record of the initial move of the Lord Jesus after His baptism. Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee where He approached two pairs of brothers who were engaged in the business of fishing: Peter and Andrew, and James and John. To each pair of young men the Lord invited, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The response of each pair was exactly the same and equally astonishing to any onlooker. They immediately dropped whatever they were doing and followed the Lord. Without further explanation this is nothing less than a bizarre scene. But, upon deeper analysis something marvelous begins to emerge. It turns out that these four young men had already met Jesus a number of weeks prior to this time. This first meeting is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter one, where John the Baptist introduced Jesus to them as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Although these young men had met Jesus at that earlier date as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and they had perhaps spent the good part of a day with Him, this Jesus had disappeared in their experience, and they went back to their former occupation—in this case, fishing. Actually, the beginning of Matthew chapter four reveals that, after His introduction and baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus was thrust out into the wilderness alone for forty days to be tempted by the devil. Thus, when Jesus approached these brothers on the shore of the Sea, it was His second visit to them, and this time He came not as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but rather, He came as “a great light.” Immediately preceding His second visit, verse 16 says, “The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light; and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death, to them light has risen.”

To those of us who have had an initial visit by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the burden of our sins was lifted, the divine, eternal life was imparted, and we experienced a most joyous day. But, for many of us, that day gradually faded as we engaged in the human activities of school, work, sports, hobbies, and various other occupations. By the Lord’s mercy, however, He would visit us again and need say only one word, “Come.” That one word from Him is so full of light and heavenly supply that we must immediately drop every other thing and follow Him. Indeed, every other thing suddenly becomes so insignificant in that great light. May the Lord grant to us daily His precious visitations and His enlightening and empowering words so that we may live a life that matches the intention of our Creator! His speaking means everything!