His real African name was Lukeatula, but as it is so long, we will call him Luka. He lived in the heart of Africa, and although only a boy and far from white men and civilization, he was taught to read and given a book, the Gospel of John. He was proud to possess the book. He felt it made him important and like the white men. So he took care of it and carried it about with him, but he never read it.
Perhaps the kind friend who gave it him, prayed that he might read it, and God heard his prayer; for something happened in Luka's heart and mind. He sat down one day, quite alone, and began reading, and found out a wonderful and surprising thing, that the book spoke.
If you read the Gospel of John, you will find it full of speaking. Jesus, the holy Son of God, uses such expressions as "Verily, verily, I say unto you," a great many times, and I tell you, "I speak unto you," and other similar words, for He came to make known to men glorious things, and some listened, and some turned away. Some loved to hear about God His Father, and how He (Jesus) had come to bring men home to God.
When Jesus was on earth, He spoke to men, mouth to mouth, but now that He is in heaven, He speaks in different ways. Sometimes He calls right from heaven, as He did to the apostles Paul and Peter. (Acts 9 and 10.) Sometimes He has spoken through an angel, as He did to Peter in prison, when He sent His angel to take him out of it. He speaks, too, through His servants, through dreams and visions, but to black-skinned, curly-headed Luka, He spoke through His holy word.
Luka was amazed to find that his precious gospel spoke to him. This is what he said about his wonderful discovery, "I was startled the find that Christ could speak Chiluba.' I heard Him speak out of the printed page, and what He said was, Follow Me.”
He felt as he continued reading his treasure that God was speaking to him from every page, speaking right into his mind and heart, and of course, he listened attentively to learn how to follow Jesus.
So Luka became a follower. He was like the two disciples we are told about in the first chapter of his book, John's gospel. It says: "Again the next day after John [the Baptist] stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." (John 1:35-3735Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:35‑37).)
He became like Philip, too, for it says in the same chapter, "The «day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me." And did Philip follow? He did, indeed, and became one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. If you would like to know more about him, read John 14, and you will find that he asked the Lord Jesus an important question, which was given a marvelous answer. (See also John 6:77Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (John 6:7), and 12:21.)
It is a joy to think of the thousands since Philip lived, who have heard Jesus speak, and have followed Him. Are you one of them? If so, like Luka, you will have a rich reward, for in this same gospel Jesus said: "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." (Chapter 12:26.)
How wonderful to be honored by God for serving Jesus, but the first thing is to follow, and then to listen and learn, so that you will serve in a way pleasing to Him.
Luka went on following, learning and listening with all his heart to the words of his wonderful book, and then as he grew to be a man, he served the Lord he followed in preaching and teaching the good news of God's love to men.