By Tyshawn Gardner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Samford University
THE IDENTITY OF JESUS
Luke 9:18–26
Not everyone sees Jesus for who He is. (18–19)
Jesus asked His disciples how others saw Him. Isn’t it perplexing how we often construct Jesus to fit our agenda or our tribal interest?
Ever since there has been a Church, Christians in every age have done so — sometimes to great harm to others. However, Jesus cannot fit into our ethnic, political, religious and cultural interests.
The inspired Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, bears record to the identity of Jesus. In spite of this, however, our self-interest sometimes influences our vision, and we construct a savior of our own making.
Jesus is God’s Son, both divine and human, sent into the world to redeem and liberate us from all forms of sin.
Jesus’ identity is wrapped up in His death and resurrection for us. (20–22)
The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus make Him distinct and truly the only Savior and God’s Messiah. He tied His identity to His death and resurrection.
Although the crucifixion of Christ can be seen as an act of injustice, God used the death of Jesus to redeem humanity. He was the only person who could make atonement for the sins of humanity.
His blood covers our sins, and the Spirit who raised Him provides the power for us to have new lives, attitudes, values and behaviors. Jesus’ disciples often had trouble embracing a Savior who testified of His own suffering and death.
However, not even death and the grave could defeat Jesus. We must accept God’s claims about His Son and Jesus’ claims about Himself. The Holy Spirit bears witness to who Christ is, and He bears witness through us, His disciples.
We are to respond to Jesus’ identity by dying to self and following Him. (23–26)
Following Jesus pays but it is also costly. A call to follow Jesus is also a call to stand for truth and reject lies and sin. Being a follower of Christ is not popular.
God has not called us to popularity but to faithfulness. Jesus called His disciples to identify with Him by following Him and we must do likewise.
Sometimes the call to follow the Savior is to forsake the people and institutions that conflict with the ethics of the Savior.
Often, following Jesus can even cost us our friends, families and reputations. However, there is no greater peace and no greater reward, both now and in the future, than to follow Jesus Christ.
Thanks be unto God that Jesus is God, so He transcends us, and He is human, so He identifies with us. Most of all He is the one and only Savior and Messiah who died for us and defeated sin through the power of His resurrection.
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