I have a vivid memory from the late 80s of two people sitting at our kitchen table—my mom and Bob. I can hear those two voices, first my mom’s and then Bob’s, as I eavesdrop from my spot on the living room couch. My mom was teaching Bob how to read. Bob was a quiet, kind, and compassionate man from our community who had never learned to read, so my mom volunteered to teach him. For years, Bob humbly showed up to learn, and my mom humbly gave her time to teach.

That memory reminds me of Jesus. Jesus gave us his time, not just an hour each week but his entire life. He humbled himself both in life and death, volunteering to help us with our biggest problem—the book of life. Without his sacrifice, no sinner would find their name on heaven’s reservation list. But through Jesus, a miracle is true. 

Some of the Bible’s final words, a glorious description of eternity with God, describe this miracle: “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).

One day, every Christian will see their name written in that book. With inexpressible joy, we will sound out the syllables of our names. With gratitude, we will worship the Lamb who gave up everything so that we could be saved.

Rejoice with me today at the thought of our names in Jesus’ book!