FIVE STONES
Dave A Barlow
I read this passage in Matthew before coming out and I was wondering about it: why does Matthew record these four brothers? As to their position when called, there is not a lot of difference between them; they are all fishermen. Then too, I wondered as to the reason for them to be recorded here separately, apart from the other disciples? And as I was reflecting upon this, this scripture in 1 Samuel came to mind, and I would like to suggest these four men might represent some of the smooth stones that David had.
The five stones David selected probably looked similar; any casual observer would say they were the same; it would not matter which one David used against Goliath; but David knew them. I know it has been suggested that when David reached into his bag, he could have used any one of them, but I am thinking of the care that David took to select these stones. It struck me, beloved brethren, of the care and the interest the Lord has in each of His own, each one valuable to Him. I have often been impressed when I listen back to the recordings of our local readings, what each brother has by experience, when brought forward in the inquiry, often blends perfectly together in the company, each part different, but each one representing a smooth stone that the Lord has. And I think of the sisters on the back row - each one has something the Lord uses as is pleasing to Him. The scripture coming to mind thinking about it was “Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might” (Eccl 9: 10), and how good it is to observe that, a brother or a sister, having an indication of something they have been given to do, and they do it with their might. It does good to see it.
So, I thought about these four, that they were all fishermen, but how different their futures were. They all followed Him, but the Lord had a particular interest in each one, and He had a particular service for each one. And He loved each one. We have Simon called Peter, we have so much recorded about Simon's history - first Peter. He was here with his brother, casting the net into the sea; they were both fishers and they were to be fishers of men. When the Lord calls them, their circumstances were exactly the same. But where does Andrew come in scripture? He is not often mentioned, though he was a fisherman like Peter. We do not know much about him, but the Lord had a purpose for that. Peter is brought forward in a particular way publicly for the service the Lord would have him to do; but there was Andrew too - maybe not so well known - but seen by the Lord and perfectly suitable for what the Lord had in mind, in service, for Him. Both were fishers of men, both were needed. Perhaps it was the same service but carried out in a different way, but perfect for what the Lord would desire of His smooth stones.
And then we have the other two brothers; James the son of Zebedee and John his brother; they were mending their nets. That might suggest that the service that they were to take up was somewhat different - you might say naturally they had the same skills as Andrew and Peter, but the Lord found them mending their nets. What does that suggest? I do not know, beloved, but one thing we can trace in the history of John is that, while Peter was given a prominent place in service, John was a supporting brother. John was the apostle that went on; we find him at the end of the recorded history. All the others were probably martyred, but John was preserved. And in times of trial, times of difficulty, in times of loss, in the assembly, John is writing those letters, exhorting the brethren in the first epistle of John to love one another; guiding and encouraging that sister in the second epistle of John; encouraging that brother in the third epistle who is going on in truth. He is mending the nets, maintaining the truth as it is to go on.
Then what about James? James was the first apostle martyred - what did he do before that? We do not know, we are not really told, but I believe he was serving in mending the nets, maintaining the assembly in his time, maintaining that which he was given responsibility for. And what a place he has, the first of the apostles that was to give up his life in relation to the testimony. We do not really see much about his history; he is slain and Peter taken prisoner by Herod in his wickedness. There is not much said about what testimony there was when he was martyred. There is not much said about what he did for the Lord in his life, but maybe we have a clue here that he served Him mending the nets, again but unseen. So, some were prominent, some not so prominent, but each one precious to the Lord, each one a smooth stone serviceable to the Master.
What a blessed privilege it is, beloved, to be taken up and retained for the Lord under His care. And if it is so be that He gives us something to do, how He would be with us, that we might be able to go on.
I trust we are encouraged by this, beloved, as we reflect on it. I know it is a word of confirmation to the brethren, but it is coming to me as a test: if I am given something to do, will I do it with my might? Beloved, may we commit ourselves to this. How thankful we can be for one another; how thankful we can be for what the Lord has done for us; and how thankful we can be that He has taken us up for His own pleasure.
May the Lord bless the word.