“Follow thou me” (John 21:22 b) were the words of Jesus, spoken to His disciples even after they had been following Him through 3 ½ years of His ministry.  The call of Jesus is more than a one-time calling.  It is nothing short of a calling to a lifelong commitment. 

     Life is full of calls.  As long as we are in this world we receive calls from various sources.  Early in life we are called to get an education. This is soon followed by a series of calls– to get a job, make money, marry, have children, seek cultural advantages, serve our country, please loved ones, have a good time, etc.  These are calls largely from the heart and flesh.  But the grandest and clearest of all calls is the call of Jesus, heard by listening ears yet today—“Follow thou me.”

      Since Jesus is no longer in the flesh here on earth, but has ascended to the Father in heaven, His call to us is not personally delivered, but is through His Gospel.  Paul wrote, “”He called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14).  Friend, have you responded to His call? The call of the Lord was important enough for Him to leave heaven for you, and eventually to die for your sins.  Is it important enough for you to heed His call, trusting in Him as your Savior, and committing your life to Him by repentance, confession of faith and baptism (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4, 17; 10:9-11)?

      If you have at one time responded to His call in this manner, be reminded that He does not cease to call.  As we mentioned earlier, it was after 3 ½ years of companying with Christ that He found it necessary to repeat His call to His disciples.  He calls us daily to faithful commitment to Him and His cause.  Hear Him afresh, as He speaks to you: “Follow thou me.”                                                  

 

              Ronald Bartanen is the preacher at the Arthur (IL) Church of Christ