When Jesus Calls (You)

Every day, we’re invited to follow someone. Social media makes it easy. Just tap a button and suddenly you’re tuned in, influenced, and shaped by what you see and hear. When you follow someone, you begin to move in their direction, absorb their values, and align with their priorities. That can be a good thing… or a dangerous one. It all depends on who you’re following.

Jesus also issues a call: “Follow Me.”
But unlike social media, this invitation is not passive. It’s personal. It’s transformative. And it always requires a response.

We are invited to honestly examine what kind of follower we are when Jesus calls our name.

When the Answer Is “No”

In Luke 18:18–27, a man approaches Jesus with confidence. He believes he’s doing well spiritually and wants affirmation. But Jesus lovingly presses deeper, exposing the one thing this man is unwilling to surrender, his stuff, his possessions. The issue wasn’t money; it was priority. Jesus asked for what the man trusted most, and the man walked away sorrowful.

Some say “no” to Jesus because they think they’re already fine. Others know something needs to change but aren’t willing to let go. Some don’t truly believe, and others are simply chasing something, or someone, else. The cost feels too high.

This passage forces an uncomfortable but necessary question: What keeps me from fully following Jesus? And even more honestly, how am I guarding my heart from quietly saying “no” to Him?

When the Answer Is “Yes”

Matthew 9:9–10 gives us a striking contrast. Jesus sees Matthew at his tax booth and simply says, “Follow Me.” There is no argument. Nor does he delay. Matthew gets up and follows. Jesus’ call wasn’t a demand, it was an invitation, but Matthew responded with immediate obedience.

Matthew didn’t clean up his life first. He didn’t negotiate terms. He left his old life behind, embraced Jesus’ authority, and even invited others to encounter Christ. This is what a fully devoted follower looks like, their not perfect, but they surrender.

It’s worth asking ourselves: Do I hesitate to follow Jesus because I think I need to fix myself first? Or am I willing to trust that transformation happens after obedience, not before?

When the Answer Is “I’m Getting There”

Peter’s story reminds us that following Jesus can be a process. Introduced to Jesus through others, Peter shows interest but hesitates. He follows… then returns to fishing. Jesus calls… and Peter goes back to what’s familiar. Over and over again.

In Luke 5, Jesus steps directly into Peter’s workspace and challenges his expertise. Reluctantly, Peter obeys, and in turn is overwhelmed by the result. Confronted with Jesus’ power and holiness, Peter becomes painfully aware of his own unworthiness. Yet Jesus doesn’t reject him. He commissions him.

Peter finally leaves everything behind, not because fear disappears, but because trust grows. His journey shows us that even growing disciples can struggle, fail, and retreat—but Jesus is patient, persistent, and faithful.

So we must ask ourselves: What keeps pulling me back? What do I run to as a security blanket instead of trusting Jesus fully?

What kind of disciple am I?

Discipleship isn’t a moment, it’s a way of life. Jesus calls us to walk with Him, learn from Him, obey His Word, submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and steward what God has given us. As we follow Jesus, we mature. And as we mature, we are called to make disciples who do the same.

Every fully devoted disciple starts somewhere. The question isn’t where you began: it’s whether you’re following Him now.

If you’ve never placed your faith in Jesus, ask yourself honestly: Who am I following? And where are they leading me?

There is only One who leads to life. His name is Jesus and He lived the life we could not live, died for our sins, and rose again so that we could be forgiven, restored, and made new. When He calls you, don’t say no. Take the step of faith. Follow Him.

Because when Jesus calls. You are always invited into something better.