Heed the Call

 ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

 ¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

 ¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus said, “The time has come.” It was time for action. How would the one who created oceans and mountains unleash his Kingdom on earth? The one who caused a great civilization to rise and fall how would he establish his authority in remote Galilee? The answer is one person at a time.

Jesus called people like you and me to start the process of change. It is still the same. He calls us to follow him by giving up on the old life and trusting him for the new life of the Holy Spirit. As that hymn states:

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea; day by day his clear voice sounding, saying ,”Christian, follow me.”

Now it’s time to heed the call.