September 11, 2004
Precious Names
Read: Luke 10:1,17-24
Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. —Luke 10:20
Bible In One Year: Proverbs 10-12; 2 Corinthians 4
No one expected the second anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to be as emotionally charged as the first. But that changed at Ground Zero in New York City when a group of 200 young people began reading the names of those who had died at the World Trade Center. The readers were the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews of the victims. The 2,792 names, precious to those who read them, brought a fresh reminder of those they had loved and lost.
A person's name represents his identity, accomplishments, and relationships. Someday our name may appear on a memorial plaque or gravestone as a mark of remembrance and honor.
But there is a heavenly ledger that is the most important of all. When Jesus' followers reported their successful service to Him, He replied: "Do not rejoice in this, . . . but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Then He thanked the Father for making the way to Him simple enough for even a child to understand (v.21).
A child values a loving relationship. In that spirit, we should rejoice that through faith in Christ we belong to God and are secure in His love for all eternity. Our names are precious to Him. —David McCasland
Christ's death this high honor secured;
Believers have now a new standing
That nothing can change—we're assured. —D. De Haan
When you trust Jesus here on earth He writes your name in heaven.
