In the Old Testament, when God called someone about something, it was with the sense of a summon like an invitation that should not be dismissed. In the New Testament, the English word "call" is a translation of the Greek word "kaleō."

The Greek word kaleō has several meanings. It can mean: a) to call or cry out a loud sound, b) to name or designate, c) to read out loud, or d) to invite.

1. Examine a part of the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1-14). What is the Wedding Feast telling you about the Kingdom of Heaven? How does Jesus use the word "call?" How do people respond?

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who held a wedding feast for his son. And he sent his slaves to call (kaleō) those who had been invited (kaleō) to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited (kaleō), "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened cattle are all butchered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!"' (Matt 22:1-4, NASB)

2. Carefully observe how Jesus responds to the Pharisees. How does He use the word "call?" Who is Levi?

After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.
And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call (kaleō) the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:27-32, NASB)

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!+ And he got up and followed Him. (Matt 9:9, NASB)