There is hardly a day that passes that I don’t meet someone that I’ve never met before. Often, I am introduced to them and we share our names with each other. I wish I could tell you that I remember the names they share with me, but, that is not one of my strengths. I will remember their faces much longer than I will remember their names. I’ve even had occasions lately where I’ve seen relatives that I’ve not seen in a long time and some of their names had escaped me. I think that is what truly amazes me about the scripture in Luke 19 when Jesus saw Zacchaeus. (Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.) Jesus called him by his name. He knew who he was. He knew what he had done. He knew what he was capable of being. Zacchaeus was known as a cruel, evil, overbearing government official to the citizens of the area, but, Jesus had probably never met him personally. I found it interesting that Zacchaeus’s name means “pure one.” He was anything but pure. And yet Jesus, calling Zacchaeus by name, was saying, “Hey, pure one, I’m coming to your house today.” Jesus was affirming what he saw in Zacchaeus, not what Zacchaeus was. God not only knows where you are, he also knows who you are. He knows what you’re going through, why you’re going through it, and how you feel about it. He knows you better than you know yourself. He cares about you personally. Even if you have never called on Jesus in prayer, read the Bible, or ask God to direct your life. God knows you inside and out. Talk to God today, he will not be surprised by your call. Pastor Don [image: image.png]