How do you respond when someone very important gives you a call? You get all excited as you answer the phone and hear who is calling. Your heart pounds in your chest so hard its difficult to actually hear what is said. So you pause a second or two, take a deep breath and let it out slowly to force yourself to settle down. Then you listen to every word the caller says. It is that important.

Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ called people to follow him. His call was to relatively unknown people–fishermen, tax collectors, political rebels, and even one who would betray him. He called individuals that had great physical and spiritual needs, as well as those who thought they had everything. Some were deeply religious; others seldom gave any thought to religion. Men and women, rich and poor, young and old were on his call list. And his call was important. It dealt with matters of life and death. It was so important it threatened to change lives forever.

In Just Follow Jesus, we endeavor to explore Jesus’ call to the people he met during his brief earthly ministry. Each encounter was different and had profound implications for their lives. Some people gladly received his call, while others chose to reject it. These same encounters also have great significance for our lives today. How will you answer his call upon your life? It is my prayer that you will at least listen to his call and Just Follow Jesus.