“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”(John 10:3, NASB)
Point 1: He Knows Me When I Sadly Misunderstand Him
Explanation: Mary stood weeping at the tomb. She had doctrine, but she did not have discernment. She knew about Jesus, but in her grief she failed to recognize Him. Knowledge without intimacy is like a lamp without oil—it cannot burn.
- Subpoint A: Grief blinded her recognition
“But Mary was standing outside the tomb, weeping; so as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they put Him.’” (John 20:11–13, NASB)
Mary’s tears told the story of human frailty. Weeping can obscure the vision of the risen Christ who is already near. - Subpoint B: Doctrine without intimacy is empty
“…and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.” (Luke 8:2, NASB)
Mary had a testimony of deliverance, but at this moment, she leaned on memory, not presence. Religion without intimacy is powerless. - Subpoint C: His voice restored her recognition
“When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and yet she did not know that it was Jesus…. Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means, Teacher).”(John 20:14, 16, NASB)
Only one word—her name—pierced the fog of misunderstanding. Our Shepherd restores sight with His voice.
Point 2: He Knows Me When I Stubbornly Doubt Him
Explanation: Thomas is remembered as the doubter, but in truth, he represents all of us. He demanded proof before belief. Doubt chained his heart until the risen Christ shattered his unbelief with mercy.
- Subpoint A: Doubt resisted second-hand testimony
“So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” (John 20:25, NASB)
Second-hand reports do not satisfy a restless heart. Doubt demands its own proof. - Subpoint B: Jesus condescends to meet our weakness
“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but be a believer.’” (John 20:27, NASB)
Grace does not dismiss the doubter—it stoops to restore him. - Subpoint C: Faith erupted into worship
“Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28, NASB)
Doubt ended where worship began. The skeptic became the confessor.
Point 3: He Knows Me When I Selfishly Deny Him
Explanation: Peter’s denial was violent, passionate, and shameful. Yet the Shepherd’s love restores even those who fail with oaths on their lips. Christ’s grace is greater than our betrayal.
- Subpoint A: Peter’s bitter failure
“Then he began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know the man!’ And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had made: ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:74–75, NASB)
Sin leaves us broken and ashamed, but Jesus restores the repentant. - Subpoint B: Jesus restores in love
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’” (John 21:15, NASB)
The Lord confronted Peter not with condemnation but with love. - Subpoint C: Grace commissions the restored
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” (John 21:17, NASB)
Grace doesn’t just forgive—it recommissions.
Point 4: He Knows Me Before I Ever Knew Him
Explanation: God’s foreknowledge assures us that Christ’s call is not an afterthought. He knew us before the foundation of the world and still chose us.
- Subpoint A: Chosen in eternity
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”(Ephesians 1:4, NASB)
Election secures us in His eternal plan. - Subpoint B: Called from the womb
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5, NASB)
God’s call predates human awareness. - Subpoint C: Loved with everlasting love
“The Lord appeared to him long ago, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you out with kindness.’” (Jeremiah 31:3, NASB)
Eternal love anchors our assurance.
Point 5: He Knows Me In My Weakness
Explanation: Our weakness is not a barrier but a stage for His strength.
- Subpoint A: His compassion on frailty
“For He Himself knows our form; He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.” (Psalm 103:14, NASB)
The Creator remembers the limits of His creatures. - Subpoint B: His grace suffices in weakness
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NASB)
Weakness becomes the channel of divine strength. - Subpoint C: His Spirit intercedes for us
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26, NASB)
The Spirit translates our sighs into prayers.
Point 6: He Knows Me In My Wanderings
Explanation: The Shepherd never loses track of His sheep. Even when we stray, He pursues.
- Subpoint A: He seeks the lost sheep
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine…until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4, NASB)
He searches until He secures. - Subpoint B: He rejoices in recovery
“And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:5, NASB)
The Shepherd delights in restoration. - Subpoint C: He restores and guides
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.” (Psalm 23:3, NASB)
He brings us back for His glory.
Point 7: He Knows Me In My Sorrows
Explanation: Our tears never fall unnoticed. He knows the language of lament.
- Subpoint A: He weeps with us
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NASB)
Christ enters into human grief. - Subpoint B: He comforts the mourning
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NASB)
Comfort is promised to the grieving. - Subpoint C: He gives peace in trouble
“Peace I leave you; My peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” (John 14:27, NASB)
His peace transcends circumstance.
Point 8: He Knows Me In My Service
Explanation: God knows both what we do and why we do it. He weighs the motives of service.
- Subpoint A: He sees secret obedience
“But when you give to the poor…your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3–4, NASB)
Obscure obedience is never wasted. - Subpoint B: He equips us for His will
“Now may the God of peace…equip you in every good thing to do His will.” (Hebrews 13:20–21, NASB)
He enables what He commands. - Subpoint C: He remembers faithful labor
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name.” (Hebrews 6:10, NASB)
Every act done in love is noted in heaven.
Point 9: He Knows Me In My Sin Struggles
Explanation: He does not abandon us when sin ensnares us. He meets us with sympathy, forgiveness, and deliverance.
- Subpoint A: He sympathizes with our weakness
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NASB)
Christ knows temptation’s pressure. - Subpoint B: He forgives confessed sin
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NASB)
Confession is met with cleansing. - Subpoint C: He delivers from sin’s dominion
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, NASB)
Grace dethrones sin’s power.
Point 10: He Knows Me Unto Glory
Explanation: His knowledge is not temporal but eternal. He will never forget the names He has written in His book.
- Subpoint A: My name written in heaven
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Luke 10:20, NASB)
Our true joy is not power but assurance. - Subpoint B: My security in His hand
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28, NASB)
His grip is eternal. - Subpoint C: My hope fulfilled in His presence
“Beloved, now we are children of God…We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NASB)
The one who knows us will transform us.
Doctrine without intimacy is dry bones; experiences without encounter fade like mist. The Shepherd calls His sheep by name—Mary, Thomas, Peter, you, me. To be known by Christ is the essence of eternal life.
To be known by Christ is the essence of discipleship. Mary misunderstood Him but heard her name. Thomas doubted Him but touched His wounds. Peter denied Him but was restored by love. The Shepherd calls His sheep not as a herd but by name.
This is the gospel’s personal dimension—He does not merely save the world in general, He saves sinners in particular. He knows your history, your tears, your failures, your doubts, your sins, your secret service, your wanderings, and your longing for glory. And still, He calls your name.
The question is not whether you know doctrine about Him, but whether He knows you in intimate fellowship. The final test of discipleship is not how much Scripture you can quote, but whether the Shepherd has written your name in His book and whether you respond to His call with obedience and love.
Live each day with this assurance: Jesus knows you. He calls you. He restores you. He keeps you. And He will bring you to glory.
Poem 1 – When He Calls My Name
I stand in the shadows of sorrow.
Tears blur the shape of the empty tomb.
My heart trembles with unanswered questions.
The world seems silent and cold.
Then His voice breaks through—He calls me.
I do not recognize Him at first.
Hope feels too costly for my weary soul.
But when He speaks my name, light returns.
The Shepherd does not forget His sheep.
He knows the sound of my heart’s cry.
Mary turned, and so must I.
The Teacher is nearer than my tears.
My confusion gives way to recognition.
Love awakens with one word.
Jesus calls, and I know Him again.
Not doctrine, but His presence heals.
Not memory, but His touch restores.
He gives Himself, not an argument.
He knows me more deeply than I know Him.
I am safe in His call.
When He speaks, I am alive.
When He calls, I am found.
When He whispers, I am whole.
He knows me by name.
And I will follow His voice.
Poem 2 – When Doubt Yields to Worship
I demand proof before I bow.
I set conditions on belief.
I will not trust unless I touch.
My heart closes itself in fear.
Yet His mercy comes to me.
He meets me in my stubbornness.
He shows me the wounds of His love.
He invites me to place my hand.
Grace does not rebuke me away.
Grace opens the door of faith.
“My Lord and my God,” I cry.
No one else could speak like this.
No one else could conquer my doubt.
No one else could stand alive.
Only Jesus, risen and reigning.
Doubt bows to worship.
Fear falls into awe.
The skeptic becomes the confessor.
The resistant becomes the surrendered.
The doubter is known and held.
He knows my weakness.
He knows my stubborn heart.
He calls me into trust.
He gives Himself as answer.
And I worship Him as God.
Poem 3 – When Denial Meets Restoration
I swore I never knew Him.
I cursed to protect myself.
I denied my Lord with bitter shame.
I heard the rooster cry.
And I wept alone in the night.
But the Shepherd sought me still.
He came not to condemn but to restore.
He asked me about my love.
He gave me another chance.
Mercy rebuilt what sin had broken.
Love proved itself in commission.
“Feed My sheep,” He said to me.
Service flowed from forgiveness.
Grace became my calling.
Restoration turned into responsibility.
He knows the failures of my heart.
He knows the sin I try to hide.
He knows the shame I cannot erase.
Yet He speaks of love again.
He gives me purpose again.
Once I was broken and cast down.
Now I am forgiven and sent.
Once I denied with fear.
Now I confess with love.
Jesus knows me and restores me.
Poem 4 – Known Unto Glory
He knew me before I was formed.
He chose me before the world began.
His love drew me with eternal cords.
His voice claimed me as His own.
He called me into His life.
He knows my frailty and dust.
He knows my wandering steps.
He knows my sorrows and sighs.
He knows my hidden sins.
Yet He holds me still.
My name is written in heaven.
My hope is secure in His hand.
No one can steal me away.
No enemy can undo His word.
No grave can silence His promise.
I will see Him as He is.
I will be changed into His likeness.
The Shepherd who called me here.
Will call me into glory.
And I will know Him fully.
He knows me now in mercy.
He knows me then in triumph.
He knows me forever in love.
He calls me by name.
And I will dwell with Him forever.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we bow before You as the Shepherd who calls His own by name. We marvel that You know us not merely as one among the crowd, but personally, intimately, and eternally. Thank You that Your voice still speaks into our sorrows, our doubts, and our denials. Thank You that the same love that called Mary, that restored Peter, and that overcame Thomas’s doubt is the love that knows and holds us today.
Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have misunderstood You, when tears blinded our faith, and when we failed to see You standing near. Forgive us for doubting Your word, for demanding proof instead of resting in Your promises, and for denying You when fear pressed hard against our hearts. Yet in mercy, You come not to cast us away, but to restore, to forgive, and to renew us again.
We rejoice that Your knowledge of us is greater than our knowledge of You. You know our weaknesses, and yet You love us. You know our failures, and yet You call us. You know our sin, and yet You clothe us in Your righteousness. O Lord, let the wonder of being known by You draw us into deeper worship and fuller obedience.
And we look to the day when the voice that called us by name on earth will call us into glory. Until then, may we follow Your voice faithfully, love Your people sacrificially, and rest in Your everlasting care. For You are our Shepherd, our Lord, and our God. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.