Verse: Matthew 10:1-4
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Devotion
What strikes me as I read this passage this morning is how amazing it is that we still know these people’s names. This is God’s story, and yet he routinely names average people who are used by him to do incredible things. It makes me think about how personal that is. And the reality is, God knows your name too.
He knows your name! He knows what you like. He knows what you are going through today. He knows your fears and your dreams. He knows who you aspire to be. Isn’t it kind of mind-boggling that the God of the universe, the God over all creation who holds everything together by his word, knows your name?
And because he knows your name, you can know that God loves you. He accepts you. He has grace and peace and strength for you. And more than that, you are part of his story! He has a role for you to play. He has a place in his book that he is still writing (metaphorically) where you are playing a part in his story. Just like Thomas and Matthew and Peter and the rest: God called __________________(insert your name!) to work alongside him empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the kingdom of heaven onto earth.
It’s too easy to feel like just another number on this planet. To feel overlooked and unnecessary. But the Bible teaches us a very different reality. You are known, loved, esteemed, called, chosen, and blessed. He knows your name!
Author: Christian Dunn
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