	Bob Hostetler > Devotions

Jesus Calling

by Bob Hostetler

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" (Mk. 1:17).

The mere possession of a telephone in the home invites calls of all sorts.

Seldom does a week go by in my home without a call from an area newspaper soliciting subscriptions. Likewise, calls from banks asking me to sign up for their "no annual fee" and "low interest" credit cards. And, of course, every once in a while comes a call to buy tickets to some charitable event. The best calls, of course, are calls from friends and family, from people we know and esteem. That is very likely the kind of call Jesus issued to Peter by the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus and Peter may never have met when Jesus invited Peter to follow him. It's more likely, however, that they had already become acquainted before Peter's call came beside the sea. Peter may have heard Jesus' teaching, and even accompanied him on journeys, before Jesus called him to become one of The Twelve (in fact, Jesus' call to Peter apparently followed the miraculous catch of fish recorded in Luke 5:1-11). Though we don't know all the facts, we do know the most important: when Jesus called, Peter answered. May we do the same today.

Prayer: Lord, let me hear your voice calling me today, and give me grace and strength to follow.

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