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Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Loaf and the Right Name, inspired by the Gospel of Matthew sixteen thirteen twenty. Tonight, Jesus asks a question that is just for you, not what the crowd says, not what you heard on the path. Who do you say that he is? In the Gospel of Matthew chapter sixteen verses thirteen through twenty, that is what Jesus asks. And so tonight we're back on Shepherd's Hill, where a small lamb is coming up the dusty path with a loaf that is still hot. The sun sat low, gold as a crust just out of the oven. The path still held the day's warm dust. A little brown lamb climbed it, grass seeds stuck to her wool. Over her back she carried a checkered cloth, and under the cloth a loaf of bread. It smelled like butter and the last of the heat. Her name was Hazel. She had never been to Shepherd's Hill. Mama said give this to Jesus, she told the first lamb she saw. She said he is the son of the living God. I don't know what that means. I only know the loaf will go cold if I give it to the wrong one. Biscuit's golden tuft bounced. Jesus is the kind helper. He gives cakes. Give it to the helper. Juniper, who last night sat on the last cool stone after Jesus taught her that the greatest one helps Carrie, spoke more softly now. He is the teacher, she said. Look for the one who sits farthest from the fire. A lamb from the ridge called over the fence. Some say he is like the old storytellers. Give it to whoever knows the most stories. Hazel looked from face to face. The cloth was cooling against her wool. Her ears went low. Old woolly's silver grey fleece shone in the last light. He shook his head, kind and sure. Not me, little one. I tell stories. I am not him. Clover's blue scarf was neat. The green sprig behind her left ear stood thoughtful. Quiet, dark fleeced Matt watched from the side of the path, the way he always did. Hazel took one more step. The loaf was only warm now, not hot. Night was coming down the hill. That was when they saw that Jesus had been sitting in the grass the whole time, close enough to touch. He looked at each of them as if that lamb were the only lamb in the meadow. You have heard what they say, he said. He did not sound angry. He sounded like a friend who wanted a true answer. He looked at Matt. But who do you say that I am? The path went still. Matt did not look at Biscuit. He did not look at the ridge. He looked at Jesus. You are the Christ, Matt said. His voice was small and plain. That means you are the one God sent. You are God's own son. You are the one Hazel's mama meant. Jesus' face was glad. Blessed are you, Matt, he said. That means my father is glad with you. You did not get that from biscuit or juniper or the lamb on the ridge. My father in heaven helped you know me. He held out both hands. Hazel set the loaf in them. It was still a little warm. Jesus broke off the end and gave it back to her, then to Matt, then to the others. The crust cracked. It tasted like home. This is how I build my family, Jesus said. Not on guesses from the path, on lambs who look at me and tell the truth about who I am. My family will stand, I will keep it. You do not have to be afraid. Hazel's ears lifted. She sat down in the grass. The loaf was in the right hands. Old Wooly's voice felt like sitting next to a fire. The crowd has many names, he said. The Father gives the true one. Clover Sprig stood bright. Matt stayed close. The loaf was shared, and the fold grew quiet. For tonight, Jesus said, almost in a whisper, hold this close. You may tell it with your own mouth when you lie down. Say who I am. And so tonight we learned that Jesus is not only what other people say. He is the Christ, God's own Son, and He is with us. Knowing Him is a gift from the Father. That sure knowing is how His family is built, and He keeps it safe. Who do you say that Jesus is? Let's close our eyes now, safe on the green hill, held by the shepherd who asks us himself, and who is glad when we know him. Jesus, you are God's own son. Help me know you, not just what other people say. Keep your family safe tonight. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.