He Calls You by Name

I’ve noticed that people at the assisted living home where my Dad lives, like to be called by name. If I say, “Good morning”, they might nod, or smile. But if I say, “Good morning, Evelyn”, she smiles and says, “Good morning Kerry”, and wants to talk.

Using people’s names makes a personal connection. I’m not great at remembering names, but I am working on it.

There are many examples in the Bible, where Jesus calls people by name. It makes the conversation personal. You know exactly who He is talking to.

My first example is Zacchaeus. In Luke chapter 19, it says he was a short man and a tax collector. He couldn’t see Jesus through the crowd, so he climbed a tree. I often wonder in the commotion, what made Jesus notice him? Was Zacchaeus calling out to Jesus? Or was it the unusual site of a man in a tree? But when Jesus saw him, his response was “Zacchaeus, come down from that tree. I must stay at your house today.” Hearing Jesus call out his name, I’m sure got his attention.

Another example is in Luke chapter 10. Jesus was sharing at Martha and Mary’s home. Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Martha was busy serving. But Martha was frustrated by her sister's lack of help. Jesus response to her was, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things...”

Jesus used her name, and spoke truth to her to help her better understand the situation.

An additional example is the story of Lazarus. In John chapter 11, his family was mourning his death. But Jesus told them their brother would rise again. As much as they wanted it to be true, I

wonder if they struggled with it. Once they arrived at the tomb and took away the stone, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ... and he did.

That must have been something to see!

But by far my favorite example is in John chapter 20. Jesus had died, and now risen. Mary Magdalene was standing at the empty tomb weeping, because Jesus was missing. She saw two angels, and explained “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they put him.”

Then she turned around and saw Jesus, but didn’t recognize him.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was a gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” It surprises me that she still didn’t recognize him. Maybe he looked different because he hadn’t yet “returned to the Father.”

But then he said, “Mary.”

He didn’t try to explain or convince her who he was.

He only spoke her name, and she knew it was Jesus.

His voice, calling her name ... and she knew.

Jesus calls us by name. We aren’t just one of many, but he knows your name ... and mine. He knows what makes us tick, our ups and downs, our strengths and weaknesses. And when we fall, he says, “Kerry, get back up. I forgive you.”

So remember, what it says in Isaiah 43:1:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."