"To him that overcomes (I will) give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it." Revelation 2:17

More than one hundred years ago, there was a prince in the Far East who had numerous servants in his palace. In his palace, he had one family that had served his family for four generations. So as to keep royalty and servitude separate, all the servants were given numbers not names.

There happened to be young boy, known as 4023, who served the prince in his palace. This young boy, around the age of 10, had only one job. He was to stand by the palace door and open it. He stood by the door for hours from morning into the evening -- waiting.

This young boy stood by the palace door waiting for the prince and his family, waiting for visitors and dignitaries who would come to visit the prince.

One day, an English dignitary came to visit the prince on business. As he came to the palace door, 4023 opened the door and welcomed the Englishman. As the Englishman was discussing trade with the prince, the Englishman could not help but watch 4023 stand there quietly waiting. As they finalized the trade agreement, the Englishman abruptly said to the prince, "Lastly, what is the price for the young boy at the door?" The prince replied, "Excuse me, did you say the boy at the door?" The Englishman said, "Yes, the boy at the door. Whatever the cost for the boy add that into our trade deal."

Then the prince beckoned the boy, "4023, your presence immediately." 4023 came before the prince and said, "Yes your highness?" The prince said, "4023 you now belong to this Englishman."

As the Englishman was leaving, 4023 went before him and opened the palace door for the last time. Then the Englishman turned to the boy and said, "Come, follow me." As they were on their journey, the Englishman did not say a word to the boy until the palace could no longer to be seen. Finally the Englishman stopped, turned to the boy and said, "Your name is now William. You are no longer a number. You now have a name, and by the way, you are no longer a servant, but now you are my son."

The young boy cried with tears of happiness and hugged the Englishman and said, "I always wanted a name and an identity."

Dear soul, when the Lord Jesus Christ saw us as servants to sin, He paid the purchased price for us on the cross, and called us to "Come, follow me" Luke 18:22. As we turned to follow the Lord Jesus, we were given a new name and a new identity -- just like the young boy William.

May you realize your new identity in Christ and live it out in this New Year.

David C. Hale, pastor Email: reasons4believing@gmail.com