There is no sign that Matthew was searching for Jesus or intending to follow him. Therefore, Jesus called Matthew first, only then did Matthew choose to follow Him. No one chooses Christ; he chooses us. When Jesus said, 'Follow me,' his words carried the same divine power that healed the paralyzed man when Jesus told him, ‘Get up and walk.' Christ is the Author of salvation, and his Word is the means of salvation. For the Gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). And in Matthew’s case, the call of Christ was an effectual call. He immediately got up and followed Jesus without hesitation or delay.
