Matthew 4:18

Sea of Galilee.

-The New Testament snows us that the Sea of Galilee was well stocked with fish, as it still is, and that a considerable portion of the people dwelling on its shores were fishermen. The modes of catching fish were the same as are still in use in all parts of Western Asia. They are taken with the hook, or with a scoop-net fastened around a hoop, and suspended from the end of a pole … Fishing on a larger scale is done by means of a long net, some three or four feet in width, with pieces of lead attached along one side to sink it, and of cork on the other to keep it afloat. The operation is performed by men occupying two boats. To one of these is made fast one end of the net, while the remainder is piled up in the other boat. The latter is rowed rapidly off in a curved line, while one of the crew gradually drops the net into the water. The net is now spread, resting in a perpendicular position in the water. The two boats then, holding each end of it, row quickly to the shore. The fishermen jump into the shallow water, and holding the net-ropes, drag it to shore, where they sit down and slowly and carefully collect all the fish, shell-fish, and refuse, which their net has scooped up, “gathering the good” into their baskets, and “casting the bad away.” (H. G. Van-Lennep, D. D.)

Christ by the Sea of Galilee

I. That to the eye of Christ the chief object in nature was man.

1. He was unlike those who view it in a merely mercenary spirit.

2. Or those who view it in merely sentimental mood. He regarded man as chief in nature-

(1) Because man is the highest representation of God on earth;

(2) Because he is the only intelligent appreciator of God on the earth;

(3) Because he is the only voluntary servant of God on the earth.

II. that the chief obligation of man is to follow Christ.

1. The simplicity of His claim.

2. The Divine authority of His claim.

3. The powerfulness of His Word.

III. That the following of Christ qualifies a man to rescue his fellow-man. The text is an argument against underrating human nature; against mysticism in religion; against indolence in the cause of Christ. (U. R. Thomas.)