Our Identity In Christ
How often do we feel defined by what is said about us? If asked the question, “who are you?” or “tell me about yourself,” many of us would begin to think about our strengths and weaknesses, our special abilities or training in a particular area. Then at some point, our minds might drift to what has been said about us. What do others say about me? What have I been told about myself based on what people observe? We might feel that we are only what is said and observed about us, or maybe even what was once true about us, but is no longer the truth.
Jesus asked His disciples a question about His identity in Matthew 16. He said, “‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew 16:13). They began to answer Him with what people said about Him, “‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’”
Jesus continued to question His disciples, this time a little more directly. “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” Jesus was asking those closest to Him, what they believed about Him. Did they think He was one of the prophets? They had seen His miracles, they had listened to His teaching, but even more, they had traveled with Him and received private explanations of His teaching. They knew Him in a way others did not. What did they say about Him? More importantly, what did they believe about Him?
Peter answered Jesus’ question saying, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:16). This is quite a declaration! Peter does not hesitate, nor are his words carefully constructed to avoid conveying a wrong answer. With boldness and certainty, he says Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. He knows and understands Jesus is the One who was to come.
Peter’s declaration of Jesus is so powerful. In declaring Jesus is the Christ, he is declaring his belief in Jesus. His belief that Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. Even more, Peter declares Jesus is the Son of the living God. The Son of the one true God. The living God who had come to Israel’s aid time and time again. Who had rescued His people over and over and shown them His great power, His mercy and His loving involvement in their lives. Peter declares that the God they know and believe in has sent the Messiah, and it is His Son, Jesus.
Jesus honors Peter’s faith. He says, “‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’” (Matthew 16:17-19).
Jesus responds to Peter’s declaration of belief with “‘you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church’”. Peter boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus responds to Peter’s faith by speaking over Peter what he would become, His plan and purpose for Peter’s life. If you follow Peter from this moment through the New Testament, you will see Jesus’ words become the truth of Peter’s life. Although he appeared to stumble a bit when Jesus went to the cross, and Peter denied knowing Him three times, the Lord’s declaration over Peter remained. After Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter, and after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, through the Spirit, Peter began to do what Jesus instructed him to do. His sermon in Acts 2 is an incredible and powerful declaration of the truth of the gospel! Peter began the work the Lord gave him to do. His identity was found in his total submission to Jesus and His gospel. He became a minister to the Jews fulfilling the mission Jesus had given to him.
This encounter between Peter and Jesus teaches us an important truth. When we acknowledge and believe by faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and follow Him as Peter did, then He speaks new truth and purpose into our lives. We are given a new identity in Him. He has a plan and purpose for each of us, and as we follow Him, He begins to change us and make us ready for all He has prepared for us.
It does not matter what others say about us, or what used to be true of us and of our lives. The moment we come to Jesus, He changes our identity. He declares who we are in Him, sets His Spirit in us, and works out His good plans for us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
-Jennifer
