Matthew Henry wrote -- Christ will have followers...
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In his commentary on this passage, Matthew Henry wrote "Christ will have followers. If he set up a school, he will have scholars; if he set up his standard, he will have soldiers; if he preach, he will have hearers" (public domain). In one of the first acts of his ministry, Jesus goes out not to the seats of power or learning or wealth. Instead, he goes to an unassuming, poor seaside neighborhood to call his first disciples -- uneducated fishermen with no connections to the movers and shakers of society.
Today many of us know about Jesus. We may even agree with him on an intellectual or philosophical level. But Jesus isn't looking for casual friends or passive admirers. He is, even today, looking for followers: "And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me' " (v. 17a).
Today many of us know about Jesus. We may even agree with him on an intellectual or philosophical level. But Jesus isn't looking for casual friends or passive admirers. He is, even today, looking for followers: "And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me' " (v. 17a).
