What Is In A Name?

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
John 10	Deuteronomy 1

What does it mean that a person calls themselves a Christian? It could mean many things depending on the intent of the individual. It could mean their parents considered themselves Christians and so they do the same. It could mean that they attend worship services at a church of the Christian faith which makes them a member of the Christian faith much like belonging to a political party or some other organization. These are just two examples. But in its original meaning the term Christian identified those who were followers of Jesus Christ. They were 'Christ - ians,' much like those who adhere to the teachings of Confucius might be termed Confucians. The term Christian, in its original use, had nothing to do with an organization, but was about a person - Jesus Christ. It was about being a follower of Jesus.

In John chapter 10 we read Jesus' description of those who are His followers. He used the analogy of sheep and shepherd to describe His followers. Sheep, He pointed out, follow the shepherd. Wherever he goes, the sheep follow. They know him by his voice and will follow by the sound of his voice, and if someone else attempts to lead them they will not follow the strange voice. Jesus then said, "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me."

Jesus used this analogy in the context of religious leaders questioning who He was and what His motives were. He told them they didn't believe what He told them because they were not His sheep. Therefore His voice and teaching were strange to them and they did not follow Him. If they were His sheep, Jesus went on to say, He would "give them eternal life, and they will never perish--ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

In truth, the real Christian is the one who follows Christ. They spend time with Him and know His voice and His teaching and they follow where He leads, as sheep follow the shepherd.