Called by name - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1

Called by name
When Jesus Christ lived in Israel 2,000 years ago, He repeatedly had personal encounters with people. Some He addressed directly by name. Because they believed in Him, they now belonged to Him. Here are some examples:

The encounter with Simon Peter: “Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’” (John 1:42). The Saviour knew this fisherman through and through. He knew everything that had gone wrong in his life that could not meet with God’s approval. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ wanted to redeem this man and make him His disciple. That is why He gave him a new name. Simon Peter accepted the offer in faith and followed the Lord Jesus.
The encounter with Zacchaeus: “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5). Jesus Christ knew of Zacchaeus’ desire to know Him. He also saw the faith and the desire for salvation in this man’s heart. Therefore, He called him by name and went to his house. There Zacchaeus became the property of the Saviour.
Today, Jesus Christ still invites people to come to Him and believe in Him. Through the gospel, He addresses them personally. Whoever follows His call and accepts Him as Saviour and Lord belongs to Him for time and eternity.

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14 · John 18:19-27