Who Are You Really: How the Identity of Jesus Impacts Who We Are
I have had some good therapists and some not-so-good ones. In fact, I vet my therapists the same way I vet my barbers: you get one shot to mess with my head, and that’s it; if you don’t do well, I am not coming back.
I remember one instance when I walked into a new therapist's office, and instantly, he smiled and asked, “Who are you?” (This question caught me off guard; I mean, here was the therapist with whom I had made an appointment, asking me who I was.) So I responded, “I am David Mazzella.” Almost right away, he said, “No, that’s your name. Who are you?” So, I began listing all the things that describe me: I am a husband, have two kids, and am a pastor in the area. He said, “No, no – that’s what you do and who you know. Who are you really?
As frustrating as this encounter was, it honestly left me with a valuable perspective because, at the end of the day, every one of us should know who we really are.
So, who are you really?
Voices That Define Our Identities
One reason the question of our identity is so difficult to settle on is that there are a myriad of voices trying to answer it.
These voices define our worth, how we should live, and the kind of person we are and aren’t. They are the thoughts of our parents and teachers, friends and rivals, bosses and co-workers, and our therapists and barbers. Everyone has something to say.
Unfortunately, we accumulate these thoughts and opinions throughout our lives, and they end up repeating over and over again, affecting our thoughts and choices. If the external sources weren’t overwhelming enough, we also have an internal voice reminding us of our past failures or glory days we once had but are no longer.
As a result, we compile a list of who we want to be and how we want to better ourselves, and we seek expert opinions, promising advertisements, and influencers who seem to have their lives together.
In this noise, it can be hard to know who you really are. But there is One in whom our true identity can be found, and that is Jesus.
How the Baptism of Jesus Impacts Our Identity
Jesus, fully God and fully man, was a walking example of how we are to live holistically while on earth. He showed us what a relationship with God looks like, how to commune with the Holy Spirit, and how to live in relationships with others. But ultimately, He showed us how to find our identity in God alone.
Jesus Identified With Us To Give Us a New Identity
As God in the flesh, Jesus came to earth so that we can get to know who God really is. As a human, Jesus was our example of how we are to live in this lifetime. And because of that, Jesus endured everything we have, are, and will ever experience.
Before Jesus’ time in ministry, a man named John the Baptist was paving the way for God’s redemptive mission. His assignment was to call the people to repentance from their sins and baptize them. Jesus, while also a man who knew no sin, went to John to be baptized. However, John was hesitant about what Jesus was asking him to do.
“But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’”
Matthew 3:14-15, NIV
In this moment, Jesus wasn’t merely living as our example; he was stepping in as humanity’s substitute, repenting on our behalf.
When Jesus entered the waters of repentance, He did so to stand in our place. To save us, Jesus had to identify with us; He not only repented in our place, but he went on to live a righteous life in our place, showing us the way to the Father.
Jesus is Loved By God and Empowered By the Holy Spirit
Up until this point, Jesus had yet to perform one miracle. He had not healed anyone, delivered demons, preached a message, or called a single disciple. Following His baptism, God sent the Holy Spirit, ascending like a dove, to empower the work that was ahead.
“John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.’”
John 1:32, NIV
Because God provided His Spirit, Jesus now had the power to stand firm against temptation, raise the dead, heal the possessed, and die for our salvation. However, that’s not the only reason. God released His Spirit on His Son because He loved Him.
“A voice came from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.’”
Luke 3:22, NAS
God the Father publicly and audibly declares Christ's identity: He is the Son of God. The Father wanted Jesus to know who He was and prepare Him for the turmoil that would soon come by affirming His love, favor, and delight in Him.
All who Identify With Jesus Through Faith Find Their True Identity in Him
Ultimately, Jesus identified with humanity in order to live for us, die for us, and be our Savior. And all who repent and put their faith in Jesus will receive the same promised presence of the Holy Spirit.
“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
Galatians 3:14, NIV
Not only will we receive the Spirit that descended upon Christ, but through His work on the cross and resurrection power, we are now given a new identity in Him. Because of Jesus, God looks upon us with the same affirmation and love.
A New Way, A New Identity
Many of us struggle to believe that this could be true for us.
Sure, it is easy to believe that because Jesus is the Son of God, He naturally lived in God's power and favor. But how can that be true for us?
We Are Empowered By the Holy Spirit
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”
John 14:12,16, NIV
Each healing and deliverance we witness, every absorbency of abuse we endure without retaliating, and every unexplainable act of compassion we experience are all possible when we put our faith in Jesus. And it’s all a reality because Jesus sends us the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
We Are Called Children of God
“To all who did receive Jesus, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12, NIV
As soon as we put our faith in Jesus, we become the beloved children of God. You are God’s dear child, and He is pleased with you.
When Jesus took our place on the cross, He gave us His righteousness in return. Our debt has been settled, our sins of scarlet are now white as snow, and our identities as sinners have been traded for that of sonship.
Understanding Your New Identity
It can be hard to grasp this new way of life. Even though God has looked upon you with love and pride since the beginning of the creation of the world, sometimes we need to remind ourselves of who God is and says we are.
3 Ways to Grow in Your Understanding of Who God Says You Are
Scripture – Read God’s word every day. Spending time in scripture reinforces what God has said and how faithful He has been in past generations. A great place to start is by looking at the life and words of Jesus in the four Gospels.
Silence – Often, when we pray, it is one-sided. (We do all the talking, leaving no room for God to get a word in edgewise!) When you pray, remember it is a conversation. Take time to include silence throughout so that God can reveal what is on His mind, too.
Serve – One significant way Jesus’ character is formed and strengthened in us is when we serve others. This could be a word of encouragement to someone on the train, meeting a tangible need of a neighbor, or offering a listening ear to someone who is discouraged. Our new identities are an extension of who Christ is, and in doing so, we are sharing the love of God with the world.
For more on embracing your new identity in Christ, check out Pastor David’s sermon, Set Apart: Whose Voice Will You Listen To?
