Weekly column by David Otten, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado
This last Sunday has been called by some as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is the traditional Sunday in which a portion of John 10 and all of Psalm 23 are read or sung. The other readings for this Sunday will reference Christ as the Good Shepherd or use language that is coincident with Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
In this year's reading of John 10, verse 3 stood out to me. It states, "To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." Part of the amazing thing about our Lord Jesus is the personal interest He takes in our lives. We are not just a number or a person who is lucky enough to get His attention for a few seconds, as may happen with one of our favorite celebrities. Jesus knows our name. He knows who we are and cares for us as the biblical shepherds do each of their sheep.
Throughout scripture, God has taken a personal interest in His creation and particularly man. He did not just speak and Adam came into existence. He fashioned the clay and breathed life into him. David in Psalm 139 writes of our body knit together in our mother's womb, and that God knows all our parts and even the days of our life.
He made us unique with a set of finger prints never reused. Our DNA or genitive code is absolutely unique. God has given us gifts and talents that make us who we are. Even in the case of identical twins, there are unique features not shared with the other.
The text says, "He calls his own sheep by name." In every baptism, it is Christ who baptizes through the human hands of the baptizer. In baptism, Jesus calls us by name as well as places His name on us. Ex., "Peter, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
In pronouncing private absolution, I proclaim to the penitent his name and that his or her sins are forgiven as Christ speaks through me. In the Lord's Supper, I personally give to each communicate the host and cup to eat and drink, and Christ is present feeding each individually. Even where the customs of a pastor or church may differ from what I describe, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are personally there with all believers, granting them that which the Gospel promises -- life, salvation and forgiveness.
In John 10, Jesus uses these words to describe this: vs 10, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
For Jesus to know our name and call us by name, as in John 10, is never part of the ministry of the law, but of grace and the Gospel. It is good news. Therefore, rejoice. Jesus knows your name.
He is risen.
