Jesus Knows Your Name

This week proved to be a mixed bag of both good and bad, but it all turned out right by Sunday. One thing returned to normal. This weekly blog waited for the Word on Sunday to determine the topic for Monday. It’s my spin on the sermon that brings home three important points about Jesus and one about us.

John’s gospel contains these points. Pull out your Bible, or bring it up in an app, and turn to John 20:11-16, 15:9-16 and 10:25-30. Let’s dive into how these verses show us three points about Jesus and one about ourselves.

Point number one about Jesus is that he chose us before we even thought to choose him. A desire deep inside us draws us to him. You can try to stuff worldly things into that hole, but they only make it seem deeper. That’s how it was for me until I figured it out at thirty-three. The more I tried to conform to what the world said was the right way to go, the angrier I got about it. Everything changed for me on the day the realization about Jesus hit home for me, just like it did for Mary when she figured out Jesus was talking to her outside his tomb.

I may have finally made the choice to accept him, but he was already waiting. He put desires and talents into my created being. I always loved to write. I wanted to belong to something greater than myself that filled me. Jesus filled the void inside. He held the keys to unlocking my heart so I could overcome all the anger I had about life. My desire to improve my writing and my walk with him led me through multiple trials so I could write a fantasy series that talked about overcoming by faith and create this blog, An Abundant Life. I’m still learning what this all means over two decades later. Each season brings new lessons to learn, but getting through them all deepens the fulfillment deep inside and brings me closer to him.

Point number two about Jesus is that via his death and resurrection, we have full access to him all the time and everywhere. Before this, only the high priest could walk into the Holy of Holies on certain days after doing several things to prepare himself. Now we can go to him as we are where we are. His love is so profound that it will compel us to want to obey the commandments he gives us. We will want to learn how to fulfill the purposes he assigned to us.

I bet you are wondering what assignment you have. It’s pretty simple. We are to tell the world about what Jesus has done for us, from the smallest to the greatest thing. Even on a bad day, we can do this. You want to know why?

Point number three about Jesus is that nothing can snatch us out of his hand. He chose us and he will keep us secure there. So, no matter what life brings, you know there will be a way out even before you see it or have an inkling of how it will happen. He will empower us to do whatever he calls us to do. It could be as simple as saying something to a complete stranger or helping that person who annoys us. Doing the latter really makes them wonder, by the way, and keeps you from being as annoyed. It leads to knowing how to love our enemies. God loves us far deeper than we can fathom and showing that love to whomever he tells us to without question will show them Jesus.

This leads to the point about ourselves. How do we know his voice? We just do. He implanted the knowledge of it deep inside with all the desires and talents he created us with. It is how Mary knew him in the garden. When he said her name, it left no doubt who she really talked to. He made sure I knew who he was the day I went to the altar and accepted him. He proved beyond a doubt that he had all the power as the great creator and all the other stuff I tried to follow had nothing on him. All knees will bow to him.

We have no excuse not to know him when he calls us by name and tells us what to do. If you are confused with what to do in life or feel empty inside, take a moment to figure out what Jesus is whispering to your heart from the depths of yourself. You can’t go wrong following that voice. The first thing it had me do was start reading the Bible and going to church, so I got to know Jesus better. You can do the same.