Jesus knew it was time to return to Galilee. And there, He began
to preach.
One day, He walked along the sandy shore next to the Sea of
Galilee. Many fishermen worked at the water's edge, mending nets,
tending boats, and discussing the day's catch. Jesus called out,
"Simon and Andrew! Come follow Me, and I will teach you to fish
for men." The two brothers instantly left their nets and joined
Jesus.
The three walked along until Jesus saw two more fishermen, who
were also brothers. "James and John," He called, "come, follow
Me." And these men left their boats and went with Jesus.
Jesus saw a man named Levi, who was later called Matthew, working
at his tax office. Jesus called out, "Levi, come and follow Me!"
And Levi stood up, left the office, and followed Jesus. Later,
Jesus went to Levi's house for a meal. But no one liked tax
collectors, and the religious leaders questioned why Jesus would
eat with someone like Levi and his sinful friends.
But Jesus said, "Healthy people don't need to see a doctor. I came
to call sinners, not those who already think they are good."
Then Jesus chose seven more men to follow Him. That gave Him
twelve men altogether. They would become His closest friends-His
disciples. The names of the twelve were: Simon was later called
Peter, James and John (the sons of lishet man, Zebedee), Andrew,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (the one day who
would one betray Jesus).
Twelve Special Students
Jesus chose twelve men to be with him so they could learn by sharing daily life with him. By associating with Jesus, they became like him and were able to go out and tell the good news on their own.
We become more like Jesus when we spend time with him in prayer and listening to what he has to say to us in the Bible.
Jesus called out, "Levi, come and follow Me!"
And Levi stood up, left the office, and followed Jesus. Later,
Jesus went to Levi's house for a meal. But no one liked tax
collectors, and the religious leaders questioned why Jesus would
eat with someone like Levi and his sinful friends.
