He Knows My Name

I was blessed to end my teaching career at a Christian school in which I was allowed to preach and teach Jesus to my heart's delight to some of God's precious lambs. In a word, it was wonderful.

One thing every grade level was required to do at that school was choose a date when our class (or classes) would present a themed program to the whole school. Most of the time that entailed some parts with memorization for the students and always a whole lot of choreographed music, with which the music teacher graciously helped anyone who asked (a biggie for someone like myself who is severely directionally challenged--try teaching choreography when your left and right keep getting mixed up!).

One of the last programs my third graders presented included a song in which they sang that Jesus knew each of them by name. At a given point, each student raised a placard bearing their name wave-style. I tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. Even my own eyes teared up, and I had been helping the children practice every day of every week ad nauseum. Despite the many times I had seen the performance, there was just something about that song that "grabbed" you. The emotion wasn't evoked by the sleek professionalism of the program. Although it was well done (thanks to the wonderfully helpful music teacher), the choreography was by no means professional and the name placards were simple, each student having decorated their own name by hand. There was just something so moving about the presentation of that thought: Jesus knows my name.

The bard might have been on to something with his "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," but he also might have been a hair off. While it is true that we are who we are, regardless of our name, biblically there is something special and unique about our names. So much so, in fact, that one of the most endearing promises of Heaven is that there Jesus will give us a new name that will be just between Him and ourselves (Revelation 2:17).

We can see this je ne sais quoi recognition of the innate closeness between a name and its bearer in the customs of different cultures. In past centuries in the western world, a person's Christian (first) name was considered so special and intimate that a person could not be called by it unless they were a family member, a close friend, or a fiancé. While I am not as familiar with the use of first names in the eastern world, I do know a beautiful story shared by minister Carlton Spencer, longtime President of Elim Bible College in Lima, New York, that speaks to the use of names in that neck of the woods.

In an unforgettable teaching to ministers, Brother Carlton described an account from a trip to Israel. As he and his entourage traveled between towns, they happened to pass a shepherd with his sheep. Jesus made so many allusions to sheep and shepherds that it excited him to think of being able to see and interact up front and personal with the very kind of shepherd Jesus used as a model. So Brother Carlton asked if they could stop to talk to the shepherd and take pictures.

As Brother Carlton talked with the shepherd through his interpreter, he noticed something peculiar. Every so often the shepherd would stop in his discourse, turn to the herd, and say a name. One sheep and one sheep only would pop their head up and come trotting up to the shepherd. The shepherd would then reach into a bag he had hanging from his shoulder, take out a little something, offer it to the sheep, and continue talking as the sheep ate his treat while the shepherd petted him. Treat finished, the sheep would turn and trot back to his place in the herd. The shepherd would continue talking with his visitors, then the scenario would be repeated. He would halt, turn to the herd, say a distinctive word, and another, a different sheep, would pop his head up and trot on up for his treat and caresses.

Brother Carlton was amazed. The shepherd had a name for each of his sheep and each sheep knew his name! Just like Jesus had said (John 10:14)!

In Philippines 4:3 Paul says of God's children, "whose names are in the book of life." Unlike the Nazis, who numbered their prisoners as part of their goal to dehumanize them, God does the very opposite. He knows us by our name. To Him, we are not just a number. To Him, we are not just a part of the herd. In God's economy, we are each an individual whom He knows, loves, and treasures.

In a day when there is so much to grieve and pray about, how wonderful to bask in the fact that we have a Savior Who loves us individually, you and me both--to the cross and back.

"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are mine" (Isaiah 43:1).