Identity & Purpose

(Journaling from John 1:9-14)
John's descriptions of Jesus are a mixture of attributes and purpose. In a sense we are defined by what we do. Ideally, what we do maps to our purpose as exampled by Christ. Our purpose should become our identity. For example, we are Christians (identity) because we are disciples of Christ (purpose).

It's no accident that John's description of Jesus parallels that of the Psalmist's description of God:

(John 1:9) The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
(Psalm 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

In John's gospel, Jesus is referred to as the Word. He is referred to as the true light (a lamp, a light). This light is available for everyone and provides a view of our "path". A path can be defined as a "way." Jesus is referred to as the Way (John 14:6). Those who followed Jesus were said to be a part of the movement -- The Way (throughout Acts).

In spite of the scriptures which pointed to Jesus, he was not recognized as the Messiah. Jesus' purpose was to be the light. He revealed truth. Yet, as a whole, the world was blind to the truth. The religious establishment was particularly blind to Jesus. Their preferences and preconceived notions clouded their minds to the person of Jesus Christ.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not
receive him.

We discover later that for the light to be effective God has to reveal it to us. Blind people cannot see regardless of the light. People with their eyes closed cannot see regardless of the light. God reveals Christ to us (opens our eyes) so that we have the opportunity to see (to believe). This is found throughout the New Testament. Some examples:

Luke 10:21 "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
John 12:38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.

For those who respond to the revelation of Jesus Christ, we are adopted and become children of God -- how awesome is that! God chooses to reveal Christ to us and when we respond we are "born of God" into his family.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

I like the way this is stated by Paul in Romans 8:16-17:

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

"In fact, together with Christ ..." We are a part of the family, spiritual siblings of Jesus Christ. This is part of our identity -- this is our identity -- and should compel us to fulfill our purpose.
He became like one of us to walk among us. He was fully God. He is fully God. He was fully man. His identity was both man and God to both dwell among us and to show us the glory of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What will we do with what we believe? Our lives display our identity.