When Jesus Knows Your Name

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When Jesus Knows Your Name

by Dr. Alan Hix

Have you ever been in an unfamiliar place, with people you don’t know and felt somewhat lost and disoriented? Then, all of a sudden, you hear someone calling your name, and suddenly your world lights up with joy because someone you know has found you!

Maybe you’ve heard this one: He sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake!

One of the things that seems to attract and intrigue us about Santa Claus is that he seems to know all the intimate details of our lives.

A former pastor of ours who grew up during the Depression talked about what fascinated him most about Santa Claus was the fact that although they lived out in the rural country of South Mississippi, Santa always seemed to be able to find him, and the presents had HIS name on them. Santa knew where he lived, and he knew his name.

In John 1:47-48 we find an interesting story. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

As much as that amazes us, our passage in John has something even more amazing. Jesus has been gathering His disciples to Himself. When Philip finds Nathaniel and tells him they have found the Messiah, Nathaniel’s response was not exactly encouraging— “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

And yet, in spite of that, Jesus not only knew who Nathaniel was, He knew what was in Nathaniel’s heart. He knew his hopes and dreams, his fears and doubts, his triumphs and his failures. He also knew his sin. But Jesus did more than just know his sin—Jesus could do something about his sin. And because of that, he knew what Nathaniel could become.

Jesus more than simply knows us—He transforms us through the power of HIS blood and HIS person.

In Matthew 2:10, we have a telling response of the Magi. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

The Magi rejoiced because the star led them to the location of the Savior. Through God’s revelation, they learned His address, if you will. That discovery—that encounter—brought them great joy as they presented their gifts to Him.

And yet, the greater joy is that Jesus knows where you live. And not only that, He knows your name. And that knowing is far greater than any we might attribute to the jolly elf from the North Pole. Santa only brings you stuff—which breaks, wears out, doesn’t fit, or ends up at the Salvation Army after Christmas.

Jesus, however, brings you life. He not only brings you life, He TRANSFORMS your life. That gift is what brings true joy—not the trinkets under the tree.

About The Author Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.