Luke 16:19-31 is called "The Rich Man and Lazarus." Without even reading these verses, a great lesson is revealed just by carefully considering the title: "The Rich Man and Lazarus." Take a moment to think about the difference, in this title, between the two men.
The difference is, only one of them has a name.
The rich man has no name. No name, that is, known to Christ. He had and enjoyed many things: lovely home, fine clothing and food, position of honor, places to go. Just not a name before God in heaven. His money could not buy that. I'm sure they knew his name at the bank, the car dealership, the club. But not in heaven.
Lazarus, by contrast, had and enjoyed very little. But he is the true rich man in the story. Because what he did have was worth far more than all of the rich man's things put together. Lazarus had a name known to God.
"I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isa. 43:1).
The death of Jesus redeems the whole world. But only those who put their trust in Him, and Him alone, have their names written in the book of life and on the heart of the Shepherd: "He calls His own sheep by name" (John 10:3).
God has blessed you in many ways. But nothing compares with knowing that your name is known to Him!
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In reflecting on this devotion, written several years ago, I'm thinking about the first time God called me by name. My Baptism. The pastor (my father) said, "Matthew, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." My name and God's name in the same breath! Wow! That's Baptism! Take a moment to think about your Baptism in this way.
