He Knows Me! – John 10:02-04 – audio

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They don’t know me!

If I ran into Governor Kasich at the mall today, he wouldn’t know my name.

If I went to a campaign event and got close enough to one of the presidential candidates to shake his hand, he’d have no idea who I am.

Neither would Leonardo DiCaprio, or Oprah Winfrey.

I met Coach Jim Tressel at an event one day, and he didn’t seem to be interested in developing a close, personal friendship.

But none of that particularly bothers me.

Isn’t it incredibly encouraging to know that the only One who really matters knows each of us individually?

Here’s the way Jesus put it:

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he brings out all his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. . . . I am the good shepherd – John 10:2-4, 11

Just a number…

Have you ever attended a college that identified you by your student number?

Or worked for a company where you were little more than an employee number?

Your government knows you by the nine-digit number assigned to you shortly after you were born.

Not Jesus, our Good Shepherd

He knows us by name, not by number!

He knows us as individuals, not constituents, taxpayers, or employees.

He’s counted the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7)… and if that’s true, could anything escape his notice?

He knows about the tough day you had at work last week, the argument you had with your spouse last night, and the anxieties in your heart right now.

He knows how much you love your children, and he knows your plans, your dreams, your hopes.

He’s the Shepherd who knows, loves, and protects.

None of the heavy hitters may know you, but in the end only one who matters does.

He knows your name, and he’ll shout it loudly sometime soon when he comes back to get his flock.