Yesterday, we talked about two reasons why I (and hopefully you) love Jesus. We spoke of His love for us that was made manifest in standing before an angry crowd and speaking on our behalf on the rugged cross. Truly, as the old song goes, Jesus loves me, this I know.

Today, though, I want to talk about Jesus’ personal relationship with each of us. We know from John 10:14 that Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” So many of us as are ‘in Christ’ (Gal. 3:27) are known by our Savior, and we know Him.

One of the most beautiful stories in all of the Bible (in my humble opinion, at least) comes from John 20.  In the wake of Jesus’ death, the story begins:

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

In this context (verses 11-15), Mary Magdalene is extremely distraught. Jesus has died, and now His tomb is empty! She believes that His body has been stolen, and so she says to the ‘gardener’, “If you’ve taken Him, tell me where!” Mary is desperately clinging to the hope that she’ll be reunited with Jesus’ body…that she’ll be able to see Him once more. But we know that this ‘gardener’ is actually Jesus. And instead of chastising her for not believing Him when He said He’d rise again, He is compassionate. He is loving. He is personal. Verse 16, one of my favorite in all the scriptures, says:

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

Immediately, Mary recognizes Jesus. How many times had she heard Him say her name? How many times had she sat at His feet, listening as He spoke truths so remarkable! Can you imagine standing and speaking to the One who’d been raised from the dead, not paying enough attention to know it’s Him, and then hearing your name? What was Jesus’ tone? What did Jesus’ voice sound like? To His friend, to His follower, it was easily recognizable.

I cannot wait for the day when Jesus will say my name. Though I have never heard His voice, I know that I will know Him, because He told me I will. And in that instance, it will be a welcomed sound, just as it was to Mary. It will be comforting and exciting and relieving. It will be joyous and emotional and breathtaking. Why? Because I am His sheep. Because He knows me.

The Bible is quick to point out, though, that it is only the sheep who are known by Him. Jesus would say in Matthew 10:32-33 that those who confess Him on earth, He will confess. Those who do not confess Him on earth, He will not confess.

If we do not live our lives confessing that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, He will not say our name on that great Day. He will, instead, turn to His Father and say that He never knew us. How sad would that day be? How sad would it have been if Mary had known that Jesus was the One to whom she was speaking, and Jesus didn’t recognize her? I know that I don’t want that scenario. I want Jesus to know me. I want Jesus to call me by name. And that is why I will live my entire life proclaiming that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

I will not be perfect. I will not be sinless. I will not always do as my Savior would have me to do. But I will always, always, do my best to remain faithful. And I will always confess that Jesus is Lord of my life. My prayer is that in the years to come, whatever persecution may come my way, that I will be strong enough to stand on the Lord’s side, and boldly claim that I know Him, so that He will tell God above that He knows me.

Jesus loves me, this I know. And Jesus knows me, this, well, this I love.