Who are you?

Read--John 10: 1-5, 11 Over the years, I have begun several sermons with the question, "who are you?". We identify ourselves and are identified by others in such an array of ways: by first or last name, by those to whom we are related (parents, grandparents, children, etc), our vocation, or perhaps a nickname. The names by which we are identified hold great value for our own self-knowledge and self-worth. They are reminders that we are somebody. To know ourselves named is to ourselves as persons of worth. There are times when names are given to us (when we are born, when our children are born, etc). There are also other times when we take a name of ourselves. One of those times of self-naming is when we choose to make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and we assume the name "Christian". However, at that moment we choose to take on more than just that name. We choose to a sheep in the flock that is under the care of Jesus. This parable of the Good Shepherd reminds us that we are known by Jesus and he gladly names us as one of his own. At the same time, we also know who Jesus is and know "his voice" Along with this knowing and being known is the invitation to "hear Jesus' voice and be lead by him". Taking the name "Christian" is our invitation to allow our Shepherd, the One who knows us more than we know ourselves, to lead us throughout our life. Loving God, thank you for giving us your name. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your flock. We entrust ourselves to you and pray that you would allow us to hear your voice and be lead by you. We offer praise to you in Jesus' name, AMEN.