Does He Know Your Name?

“When Jesus came to that spot, He looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, come down at once.’ Luke 19:5

A few weeks ago in our Sunday school class we were looking at this passage where Jesus goes to Jericho and calls Zacchaeus. Sometimes as I read the Bible things just jump out at me, but I had not considered the thought our Sunday school teacher put before us about this particular verse.

Zacchaeus climbed the tree because he wanted to see who Jesus was. Yes, he had heard of this man who was teaching and healing in the area but had never met him face to face. Most likely, if Jesus had walked past him on the street, Zacchaeus would not have recognized him. BUT, looking up into that tree, seeing a man he had not previously encountered, Jesus called Zacchaeus by name!

This little man, sitting up in the tree, was known to Jesus without a face-to-face prior meeting! Jesus had a divine appointment with Zacchaeus. One He had known about since, well, always. I imagine the fact that Jesus knew his name was not lost on Zacchaeus. After all, the day that Zacchaeus met Jesus, his life and the lives of his family was forever changed.

In Isaiah 43:1 we find these words, “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” God created us. He knew us before we were born. He knit us together in our mother's womb. (Psalm 139) What a miracle that is!

For God to know you by name means that He chose you on purpose for a purpose. God has good plans for each of us. God's plan for my life is different from the one He has for your life. But His plans are marvelous and with God we can set the world on fire for Him! God knows you intimately and has created you. You are so important and integral to God's work in the lives of others.

Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name and He knows yours too. Do you know His?