Bethany Bullet - April 23, 2013

Who hasn’t heard of Santa Claus’ massive list and Cheers fans know all about Sam Malone’s little black book?

The Lord God too has a ledger, a list, a book too; in it is recorded the names of those who will one day take up residency with Him in heaven.

The names of His children have been Lovingly Annotated in the Master’s Book; written in the indelible ink of the Lamb’s own blood.  Lovingly, the shepherd became a lamb and laid down his life for the sheep because He loves them.  In that same love He annotated their names in His book of life.  Just picture if you will making out a guest list to a party and how with each stroke of the pen as each name is logged the thoughts that are formed about that person.  Now, it’s ok to admit that sometimes it is dollar signs that come to mind, guests cost. On occasions it might be square feet, guest take up space.  Yet, as God composes and catalogues his list of names with each stroke of the pen, as each name is written, it is love that leads Him to pause over each individual and delight in them as His; He is focused on their hurts and hopes and He knows them better than they know themselves. 

Now unlike Santa Claus’ list or Sam Malone’s little black book, The Lamb’s book isn’t based upon what the individual named therein has done; that is if they are nice or naughty.  Rather purely out of His grace those who through the Spirit have cried in faith “He is Risen”, those who’ve had the Master Lovingly Annotate his name upon their Brow in baptism, those who trust in Christ as their shepherd and believe in Him as the sacrifice offered in their place, can be sure that their name He has Loving Annotated in the Master’s Book.

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer