Jesus Identity (Real)
One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” - Luke 33:21-22, NLT
In the New Testament, we are given a key concept by which to understand our connection to God’s redemptive work, identification with Jesus. The basic idea is this, when someone is adopted into God’s family and rescued from their own sin and its punishment, they are to identify with Jesus. That is to say, they are to pattern there life after Jesus. Moreover, it is in Jesus that all the redemptive purposes of God are accomplished in a person’s life. In Christ becomes a refrain throughout the epistles. That little phrase communicating how connected we are to Jesus. That little phrase, in Christ or in Him, becomes the key to our living out this new life well or poorly. When we think, say and do things in keeping with the connection between us and Christ, we are living as God would have us live. When we think, say or do things not connected with our new life in Christ, we are living outside of what God would have for us. So the key is understanding who Jesus is and how Jesus thinks, speaks and acts. And while there are many ways to come to grasp Jesus’ life and living, the biggest help we are given is in the person and work of the Holy Spirit. This is why, our connection to and obedience to the Spirit is so critical. He will lead us further and further into our identification with Jesus. Conversely, if we ignore or refuse His leading, it will leave us not living out Jesus’ way in our lives. All of this becomes an important counter balance to the reality we shared in our celebration of Communion yesterday. Yes, we are dearly loved. Yes, we bring the Father great joy. There is nothing to be done to earn or deserve those infinite mercies of God. They come to us in Jesus. But, the bold assertion of the New Testament is that you and I can live out the life of Jesus in the way we think, speak and act. So, as we stay with the theme of the Identify of Jesus, let’s think about in what ways our living out Jesus’ life is happening and in what ways it is not happening.
Application Questions: (these questions are for personal reflection and discussion in Supper Clubs)
What makes it hard for you to believe that God loves you and takes joy in you?
What would help you to experience more of God’s love? To better understand His delight in you?
In what area of your life are you most identifying with Jesus? Least?
How can you grow more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice?
Where has the Holy Spirit convicted you of sin? How have you responded?
Reflecting on your story of God’s work in your life, when and how has God shaped you to look more like Jesus?