"Hey, You!" he yelled out over the sea of heads. "Yes, You! Stop, right there!"

It was a generic call, and the mass of commuters around me slowed only momentarily, glancing around.

"Hey!!" the piercing voice continued. "Hey!!"

"What in the world? Who's yelling?" I thought. I was a bit irritable without my morning beverage in hand. The voice issuing the command carried a certain jurisdiction and somehow I felt the need to look.

As I turned, I saw an arm stretched out and over the merging mob, and a finger pointing directly at me. My fellow travelers continued on, paying no attention to this loud stranger shouting in their midst. As the man approached, through the thinning crowd, I became uncomfortable. Just who was this guy coming towards me? He didn't look influential. He didn't have on a uniform. No badge. Nothing but the commanding sound of his voice to indicate authority.

What did he want with me? What did I do? I wasn't guilty of any crime. I have never been in trouble with the law. Not so much as a citation. On the flip side, I wasn't famous, either. I didn't even resemble anyone famous, so I'm sure he wasn't after my autograph. So, what did this guy want? So, why did I stop?

I tapped my foot with impatient curiosity. "The nerve of this presumptuous stranger," my thoughts scolded. "I really didn't need an interruption this morning. I have things to do, places to go, and I'm missing my ride. He should just leave me alone and let me get on with my life. This had better be good."

As he drew nearer, I looked him over from head to toe. After all, he could have criminal intentions. Generally, I felt it was a wise idea to be careful and guarded in unfamiliar situations. I have learned the hard way how to take care of myself. Nevertheless, I had to admit, after my brief visual inspection, he looked downright normal, benign even. His mannerisms, clothing, and stride all appeared as ordinary as the next traveler.

He smiled gently, held out his hand and whispered, "Come with me."

Go with him? "Yeah, right," I thought sarcastically. I didn't know him from Adam. Did this dude have rocks in his head, or what? How on earth did he expect to entice anyone to follow him? Did he really think I would just drop everything and go off to, God knows where, with him?

Did he think I was some naive child? On the contrary, I was tough, world-wise and independent. I had been on my own since I was a kid. I ran my own business and it was rough, smelly, physical work. I was not coddled or spoiled or the least bit gullible. I confess, I could be rambunctious at times, saying exactly what was on my mind, but at least people knew where I stood.

The Stranger touched my arm. His eyes reached into my eyes. "Peter," the voice entreated once more, "Will you come? Will you follow me?"

"Hey, wait a minute," I stuttered. "How do you know my name?" I stepped back studying His face. "Just who are you?" He touched me again. flashes of Truth in seemingly slow motion merged together into one epiphany. This was no ordinary man. This was no ordinary touch. I reached back.

My natural resistance vaporized with that responding touch and in a moment's time, all that I deemed important fell away. My priorities, my all-important priorities, were nothing now but a bag of discarded hopes. Carefully constructed emotional walls crumbled. Impetuous revelations whirled through my thoughts. My soul came to life as my freshly stoked spirit surged. I felt strangely vulnerable. "What was happening to me," I thought, as I sobbed confessions before this Stranger. Then, without the slightest inhibition I lowered to my knees in awe and reverence. "Yes, Lord." I whispered. "I will follow you. I will follow you."

There in quiet humility, I remained before my Lord. The accomplishment of the Cross fulfilled by His single touch. My self-absorbed significance, like my tangled fishing nets, dropped to the ground.

Biblical Reference: Matthew 10:19 "Come, follow me, 'Jesus said, ' and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Bible Gateway