ou might have heard or been taught that Jesus called twelve men to become His disciples early in His ministry. But if we read scripture carefully, we discover that He had called a small group of them three times before He finally selected the twelve. The first time He called anyone was recorded in John 1:35-42. In that passage we are told that Jesus was walking near John the Baptist and several of his disciples. When John saw Jesus, he responded by calling attention to Him as he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” In response, two of John’s disciples, John and Andrew, began following Jesus. Jesus turned around, stared at them and asked, “What do you seek?” John and Andrew responded by asking to spend time with Him. After a while they believed in Jesus. The Holy Spirit tells us that they believed that He was their Messiah. Peter believed too! The first step in the life of any follower of Jesus is to respond by believing. That is the first call.

Test of Belief. If you belong to Jesus, if you had a beginning with Jesus, if you are born again, then you started by believing in Jesus just as these men did. Once you believe, Jesus will test you and call you to follow Him! Any true follower of Jesus Christ will follow and these men did.