With the time of year that the world celebrates what is called Easter having just passed, it is a good time to evaluate life—in particular my life. This past week had me doing that in several ways and gave me lots to think about. I spent a good portion of the week before being sick. When you get sick, or at least when I get sick, I think about the things that I can't do, things that aren't going to get done, the things that I should not have let slide for another day because the day, when I could have done them, might never come again. I probably will not be able to find the time later if I couldn't find the time at the current moment. I wasn't so very sick this time, but for others, some get sick and never recover. What a sad day for those who wish for more time and cannot get it. The days God has given us are to be used as He directs, not as I want to fritter away.
We have a wonderful promise! “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has passed from death to life.” John 5:24 The word that holds the best of all promises is—“WHOEVER.” That’s pretty inclusive! And ALL of us “whoever’s” are encouraged to do two things: Hear, Believe! And the result is three-fold—eternal life, NO condemnation, and passed from death to life, the promise of life forever! And all that is promised to “WHOEVER,” which is pretty unlimiting and inclusive! John appears to understand the greatness of Jesus’ life on this earth and the impact it can have on WHOEVER wants it. If the Jesus I know, through hearing and believing, doesn’t give me assurance of eternal life, I need to keep searching (some suggest starting with 1 John 5:13): "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." This verse emphasizes that believing in Jesus Christ is the key.
If Jesus doesn’t give me freedom from condemnation, I need to keep looking maybe in Romans 8:1 that tells me—And if the Jesus I’ve found does not help me focus more on life than death, I need to keep seeking (maybe with Romans 6:23).I will keep listening and believing until I find the real Jesus who gives me assurance, freedom, and focus, and He offers the same gifts to “WHOEVER!“ This verse declares that believers who are in a relationship with Christ through faith are no longer under God's judgment or penalty for sin. This freedom from condemnation is rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, which provides a new standing before God for those who believe. And the world celebrated that sacrificial death this week, though for some the actual meaning might have been lost. When it seems that the most important thing that I hear discussed revolves around eggs, I fear that most have missed the point of this day of remembering!
Many years ago we had the chance to visit Branson, Missouri and my one request was to go to the Sight and Sound Theater to see the production of Noah. My husband wasn't wanting to do that as much as I. But afterwards he was glad that we had been able to have that experience. Since then, we have been able to see more of their productions at the theater and when they were shared to the world in other theaters and by home viewing. And we have been happy to be able to do that. The Sight and Sound Theater has now made it a tradition to make their production of "Jesus" available to everyone to see for free in their own home on Easter weekend! And I took advantage again! I have watched this story of Jesus as he began His ministry several times and every time I feel like I find something new that affects me in a profound way. This time it was the time of Jesus and His disciples approaching the land of the Gadarenes. Reading the story is not the same as seeing it acted out in words and song. During this scene, the disciples broke out into song and the words really meant a lot to me.
He Called Me By My Name – Perpetual Adoration
As Jesus walked over to the man, the disciples began singing and described their experiences of when Jesus sought them out and called them by name. Here is what they sang:
Judas: “He leads us across the sea, through a storm that nearly drowns us, to help some lunatic in chains? We’re not supposed to be here.”
John: “You’ve already forgotten.”
Judas: “Forgotten what?”
John: “When you were the one. He called me by name. I was under a tree. He came just to find me, and he told me who I am.”
Peter: “He called me by name. Like my net, I was empty. He calmed the storm inside me, and life began.”
John: “He left the 99 when you were the one, when you were the one. Yes, he left the 99 when I was the one. Now that man is the one.”
Another Apostle: “He is the one.”
Judas: “Fine, we get it. But at what point is it not worth the risk?”
Peter: “Not worth the risk?”
John: “That woman at the well.”
Another Apostle: “That small man.”
Peter: “Hiding in the tree.”
Another Apostle: “The lame man lowered through the roof.”
James: “The bleeding woman in the street.”
John: “The leper, the blind man, the deaf and the lame, the sick and the broken, he knows their name.” After the apostles finished their song in the movie, Jesus called out to the man who was possessed. When the man answered, there were several voices that came out of him. Here’s the exchange that took place between Jesus and the possessed man:
Jesus: “Dorian! Come to me.”
Dorian: “My name is Legion, for there are many of us within him.”
Jesus: “That is a lie. That’s not who you are.”
Dorian: “Son of God, do not bother us!”
Jesus: “You are Dorian, a child of God, and he loves you.”
Dorian: “No. No! We beg you. If you’re going to cast us out, then send us into that herd of pigs. Anywhere but to the distant place!”
Jesus: “Dorian, be free!”
When Jesus cast out the demons, the screen showed hundreds of pigs running off a mountain and falling into the sea.
After Jesus performed the miracle, several women ran over to the man who had been possessed, one of whom was his mother. She ran over and hugged him. Here’s what was said between the mother and her son:
Mother: “Dorian?” Dorian: “Mother!”
Mother: “You’re back! I can see your eyes again. What happened?”
And Dorian answered in song: “He knew me by name. He called out in the night, like a piercing light. He saw me. I won’t be the same. He pulled me from the ground. I was lost, now I’m found. He saved me. And oh, he came to save the one, to save this one and oh, he crossed the sea and climbed the mountain, to save this one, to save this one.” This scene nearly brought tears to my eyes because I couldn’t help but think about the numerous times throughout my life when Jesus sought me out and called me by name. There are probably hundreds of times throughout my lifetime when our Lord called me by name. We will eventually be shown all the times we responded to his call with open arms, and the times we ignored his call and turned away from him. I imagine that you too can think along these same lines.
Have you ever felt overlooked or insignificant in this vast world? We're not alone. It’s easy to lose sight of our value, but here’s the fantastic truth: I am immensely important to God! Every single hair on my head is counted and cherished by the Creator of the universe—even though I lose some every time I comb my hair. This profound message serves as a powerful reminder of my worth and purpose. I want to always remember the boundless love and assurance that Jesus offers, affirming that each of us holds a unique place in His heart. Whether I'm
searching for hope, affirmation, or a deeper understanding of my divine significance, this truth uplifts me and empowers me. If He knows my hair numbers then I have incredible value to Him. I'm not just a face in the crowd; I am uniquely crafted and celebrated by God.
He knows my name!
Another song from the musical production was Not Alone!
Darkness whispers, you are far from home, On your own
But there′s a promise ringing in our bones, We're not alone
The stars won′t be swept away tonight
Be still and know He is God, He is on the throne
He's always here, He always was, We are not alone
They came for me, I was torn away, Lost my name
Light was fading, then He fanned the flame, He called my name
Will you choose to run or stand and fight?
We've seen giants fall, Lions sleep, We′ve walked through oceans
He′s always here, He always was, We are not alone
The enemy is closing in But God won't let the story end
We were born with purpose, For such a time as this
The world was meant to see us shine
He placed us in the night, Let there be light
There is a name Stronger still than death or pain
Yahweh, Yahweh
Be still and know He is God; You are not alone
Isn't it wonderful that He never loses our name and that we are never alone!
He Knows My Name! I'm Never Alone! I Know He is God!
He Will Never Lose My Name!