Answer the Call – January 27, 2023

Read: Matthew 4:12-23

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Answer the Call

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Katie loves her dad. She loves it when he swings her up on his shoulders when he comes home from work, and when he helps her with her homework after a long day at school. She especially loves when he tackles home improvement projects on the weekend. He often lets Katie follow him out to the garage or down to the basement when he works on something. There, he takes the time to explain what he’s fixing, patiently answering all of her questions, and showing her what she can do. Katie loves her dad, and she loves answering his call to come and help.

It’s easy to imagine Peter and his brother Andrew feeling the same way in today’s Bible reading. Jesus had already been preaching in the area where they were fishing, so it’s possible Peter and Andrew had heard Jesus before and maybe even met him. But that day was different. That day, Jesus came right up to them and spoke to them. That day, Jesus called them to leave their nets and catches of fish behind and instead come fish for people. That day, Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow him.

And so they did! The two fishing brothers left their nets at once—immediately—and followed Jesus. They didn’t hesitate or wonder how they were going to earn a living now or try to sell their fishing supplies. They left everything to follow Jesus and trusted that he would show them how to fish for people.

You don’t get to see Jesus face-to-face or hear his voice in the same way that Peter and Andrew did, but Jesus still calls you today. He calls you to be his child through his Word. He calls you to learn more about him by reading the Bible and listening to your pastor at church. He calls you to follow him by doing your best to live according to his teachings and commands. He calls you to fish for people by telling those around you about him and how he came to earth to save us from our sins. And one day, Jesus will call you home to heaven where you will get to see him face-to-face and hear his voice.

Are you ready to answer the call? You don’t have to leave everything like Peter and Andrew did—just remember that Jesus is the most important part of your everyday life. And he calls you to fish for people too!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me to be your child. Be with me as I daily carry out your call to fish for people. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What job did Peter and Andrew leave to follow Jesus?
• What job did Jesus call Peter and Andrew to do?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why might it have been scary for Peter and Andrew to answer Jesus’ call?
• What does it mean to fish for people?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it important that Peter and Andrew left their nets at once—immediately—to follow Jesus?
• Why is it important for you to answer Jesus’ call to fish for people?