Jesus' (Jesus) Identity

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. [Isaiah 53.5]

So, what do you do on Leap Year when reading the OYCB? You go freestyle!

Amazingly enough, though not surprising, as I first began to read my personal daily scriptures (a list of scriptures I like to read every day in addition to the OYCB reading). I had an overwhelming sense of inspiration to write about identity today.

Identity is a hot topic in the world here in 2024. Identity in Christ has been a fairly popular topic in the Church off and on. But I felt particularly inspired to write today about Christ's identity. I could say "it all starts there," but that is technically incorrect because Jesus has neither beginning nor end. That said, who is Jesus? What is His identity?

While there is simply not enough time and I am simply too simple to exhaust this subject, I still wish to expound upon it with a few simple thoughts.

What is Jesus' identity? First of all, He is the "Son of God" in terms that man can somewhat understand. He is one manifestation of God in His three-part revelation of Himself. Our first hint of Jesus, though not by name, is given in the very first chapter of Genesis.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” [Genesis 1.26]

Interestingly enough, our first introduction of Jesus, the hint that God existed in three persons, and not  as just one, was when God created man. This hint of Jesus (and the Holy Spirit for that matter) is revealed when God created man simply to reveal God's purpose in His full identity to interact with man. How amazing is that?

Then, in Genesis 3 after Satan had deceived Adam and Eve, we see our first hint of Jesus' unique identity - Who He is and what He does.

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” [Genesis 3.14-15]

Here, Jesus' Advent is predicted as the offspring of the woman... but there is SOOOOOO much more to this passage! So, we will circle back to this. But continuing, among a plethora of scriptures symbolizing and prophesying Jesus, the subject scripture above in Isaiah stands out. However, there is another key scripture that we are given shortly after Isaiah 53.5!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. [Isaiah 61.1-2]

And, Jesus totally "owned" this identity that prophesied His existence!

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

Matthew's recorded account of how Jesus lived only further confirmed Jesus' identity.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [Matthew 9.35-36]

This all sums up to quite an identity for Jesus, huh? I'll say so!

Remember I said I would circle back to Genesis 3.14-15? Here we go. Ready? The "offspring" of "the woman" that referred to Jesus also refers to us! WE ARE OFFSPRING OF THE WOMAN TOO! This means we will wreak havoc on Satan too! But don't believe me, believe Jesus - The Word!

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

This all makes John chapter 15 make much more sense.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. [John 15.5]

As a branch receives its entire identity in the vine, we are to be in Christ. Jesus' identity is our identity, but only as much as we "abide in Him." Otherwise, well... let's just don't go there!

Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. [John 15.6]

Now that we are all jumping up and down rejoicing, let's get back to our subject passage.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. [Isaiah 53.5]

Oh, yeah, that passage... What, in John 14.12, allows us to disassociate ourselves from Isaiah 53.5? Well... Nothing.

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. [Matthew 10.38]

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Mark 8.34]

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [Luke 9.23]

Well, that just puts a damper on everything, doesn't it? The answer to this question reveals whether or not we understand love.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

And there, ...there is Jesus' identity! And there, ...there is our identity if we are in Him! As Jesus laid down His life for us in indisputable, undeniable, 100% selfless love, we "abide in Him" only when we do the same.

Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Father, Your Word is so very clear on Jesus' identity and our identity. May our lives be found "in Christ" as a healthy branch reveals the identity of the vine. Be glorified in Your Son as You see Him in us. So be it.