The Backstory
This Thursday I’ll be part of a conversation on Identity, geared toward Gen Z, and I thought I’d simply be sharing off the cuff, but this morning the Holy Spirit interrupted that plan as I hit a chord of revelation reading from the Weymouth Bible.
The Message
Have you no answer to make? What is the meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you? Mark 14:60
The Holy Spirit impressed upon me this morning the silence Jesus kept until the High Priest asked Him another question:
Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
And here is the question Jesus chose to respond to – the question that spoke to His identity, and thus the more important question. And Jesus responded accordingly:
“I am” replied Jesus…
Two potent words that spoke directly to his connection and identification with the One who had first revealed Himself to His people as the great “I am” thus furthering the anger of the religious scribes and pharisees who heard and understood the meaning of the words, even as Jesus quietly but boldly concluded, “and you and others will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the divine Power, and coming amid the clouds of the sky.”
This response so infuriated the High Priest that he rent his garments and called the words blasphemous. But this was the heart of the matter – who Jesus claimed to be and who He claimed God to be - He claimed God not just as a “Father” but as His Father. Today we take this concept for granted, but it was a radical and revolutionary idea at the time - to address God in heaven as “Father.” And this is how He’d taught His disciples to address God when they prayed.
And in the next chapter, immediately after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mark went on to record:
Over His head was the notice in writing of the charge against Him: THE KING OF THE JEWS (Mark 15:26) NKJ
A direct statement regarding Jesus identity. Written above his head while he hung on the cross. All who saw Him would also see these words aptly describing Jesus as a king. For He is in truth the King of kings. And it’s by divine design his identity was first spoken aloud from the heavens by His Father in Heaven, immediately after he arose from his baptismal waters:
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17 NKJ
First it was spoken, then it was written. A foreshadowing of the written word, the testimony the four disciples would later write. And although not all four disciples recorded the Father’s voice from heaven, they all took note of the sign placed above Jesus head signifying His identity. And Luke gives us further insight about that sign:
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
Written in all three languages of the day, that everyone who could read would see it written as their eyes gazed upon Jesus. A notice that could not be overlooked -especially as it’s written in caps - John also gives us another piece of testimony:
Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS… Therefore, the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but only, ‘He said, “I am king of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:19-22 excerpt) NKJ
“What I have written, I have written.” Pilate did not back down. Just as his word stood then, God’s word stands today. God’s word is written, it is established, it cannot be altered.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips. Psalm 89:34
Jesus was and is a King. The King of all kings. This was his identity, and it was recorded. In the same way our identity has been recorded, and it cannot be altered. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Male and female, created in God’s image and likeness. Dearly loved and accepted in the beloved. There is no mistake too grand to detract from our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. There is no failure that makes null and void the love of God toward us. He created us in His image and that image stands, despite the stink of any pigpen our waywardness might bring us into.
The Conclusion Of The Matter
You may have muddied that image, but the image can never be permanently marred. It is a holy and sacred image that stands the test of every mishap. Your Creator ordained it to be so. You sins are removable. Each and every one. Your image remains intact. All you have to do is come back to the Father, come back to your true identity. You are a son, not a servant. And though you made a mistake you are not a mistake. And you are worthy of the extravagant love your Father has for you. Step back into the Father’s open arms and receive His embrace. He’s been waiting. He will clean you up and restore you to your original image. This is His gift to you.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)
Postscript
I may have veered off my primary topic at the end, the evangelist in me often makes an appearance in this way, and I may change things still yet, but I thought I’d share here and now, without overthinking it and while I continue to process this message.
And writing and preaching is my work, my means of provision, if you are led to sow a seed. And for what it’s worth I make my coffee at home, unless I’m traveling. For me it’s a matter of stewardship….
