A Sheep With a Name

“He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.”

~ John 10:3b-4

Names are important; for better or worse they often define us. Adolf Hitler. Mother Theresa. Both are names, but they conjure up completely different images and emotions. Knowing someone’s name is the beginning of knowing them. Names mean that we aren’t just part of the crowd; we are known.

In today’s passage, with the cross looming black on the horizon, Jesus tells His listeners that He is the Good Shepherd, who will give up His life for His sheep. I love John 10:3, “He calls His own sheep by name…” How amazing to remember that Jesus knows our names, more than that, He knows us. We aren’t just a bunch of people, not just a flock of sheep, we are individuals who He loves specifically. Jesus goes on to contrast Himself to the hired man who runs away when the wolf comes because he’s more intent on saving his own skin than saving the sheep. The Good Shepherd, on the other hand, doesn’t run from the wolf. He stays to protect His sheep because He knows and loves each one who’s in danger.

Not only does Jesus call us by name, He is also the one who leads us out and goes ahead of us. As a frightened sheep, I’m glad Jesus leads the way. He doesn’t make me go any place where He is not. He is always ahead of us, leading us, protecting us, even when we don’t see Him or feel His presence. I don’t know about you, but I desperately needed this reminder today. Jesus knows me by name, He calls me His own, and He goes before me to lead and protect me no matter what, because He is the Good Shepherd who gave up His life for His sheep.

Lenten reading, John 10:1-18

Photo from https://pixabay.com/photos/lamb-sheep-animals-mammals-5733685/