S) "21 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him."
Matthew 4:21-22 (NASB)
O) What really struck me about this passage, was that these brothers left their father. When this same story is recorded in Luke's gospel, he noted the the timeline a little more closely (see Luke 5). James and John followed right after Simon Peter and Andrew, just after the miraculous catch of fish they'd witnessed. In Mark's gospel, he noted that Zebedee also had hired servants with him. When we put these accounts all together, we get a clear picture that this decision to follow Jesus, while quick, was not capricious. We don't know how much their father protested, but neither is there mention of him following. Much later, we see the mother of the sons of Zebedee (i.e., the wife of Zebedee) approach Jesus, so it is easy to figure she was a follower, but Zebedee does not appear to follow (at least, during earthly ministry of Jesus).
A) Initially, I read this passage and imagined the perspective of James and John, but as I really tried to immerse myself in it, I found myself relating to the father. As a dad, even with my kids being young, I must humble myself enough to know that they can still teach me. It would be a painful sorrow, if these mighty men of the Bible (James and John), never saw their dad saved. In the end, though, Zebedee saw the same miracles they did. He watched as Simon Peter, then Andrew, then his own sons dropped everything in faith to follow Jesus. At this stage in my life, my children need my leadership. Even if I can learn things from them, the scales are drastically tipped toward me doing the vast majority of the teaching. However, there will come a day when those scales will begin to even out more and more. To be sure, it's totally possible that Zebedee became a believer, and fully supported his sons and the ministry of Jesus (and their ministries, after the Resurrection). I pray that I am always able to guide and counsel my kids, especially in the ways of God. I'm committed to supporting them as they chase God with everything they have. Just as importantly, I always want to be teachable, even if that means following their examples in the way they are following Jesus.
P) Father, You are perfect in Your fatherhood. You never make mistakes, never have to be taught anything. You discipline perfectly and are always willing to lead and teach. I am gravely flawed in my fatherhood. I desperately need Your direction, grace, and mercy in the raising of my children. I have let my pride and arrogance blind me at times. Please forgive me of that sin, that haughtiness, Lord. Help me to be humble, especially when leading my wife and my kids. Rebuke me when I miss the ways You want to use them to teach me. Open my eyes and ears, to understand Your ways more clearly, even through my children. I pray that they grow up to follow You fully, whole-heartedly, without reservation. Help me to support them in whatever ministries they may take up. Be glorified in my life, and theirs. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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