Identity Crisis

   Have you ever been out in public when you noticed a long-time friend from across the room? Without hesitating, you shout out to them drawing everyone's attention. And as they slowly turn around, you suddenly realize, it's not your friend. In fact, the complete stranger is looking right at you with the expression of annoyance and the body language that's saying, "Who are you?"
   Most of us at some point have mistaken the identity of someone out in public. And maybe it has even cost you a similar embarrassment. But a greater tragedy that's happening across our world is the billions of people who mistakenly identify Jesus Christ every day.

   As Christ's ministry was in full swing and his notoriety was growing, Jesus took his disciples aside and asked them this question, "Who do people say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13). The responses included: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, and other prophets. But then Jesus asked more specifically, "Who do you say I am?". Peter was the one who answered and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
   It doesn't take much to discover that the majority of the world disagrees with the identity of Jesus in the Bible. It's evident by how they live. You see, what we think about something or someone shapes our behavior. If I believe I was made by a loving and just Creator who has revealed himself through His Son, I'll live my life knowing that I'll be held responsible at the end of it. In contrast, if I believe our existence is mere happenstance, I'll be motivated and center my life around my personal desires. In other words, if it feels good do it. There are no lasting consequences or meaning to my behavior. herein lies the problem. If what I do essentially doesn't matter, then my life has no meaning or genuine purpose. As a result, my life will lack fulfillment. 
   Ultimately, the only way our lives can have purpose is when we know the true identity of Christ. Even many who profess to follow Jesus have confusion about their identity because he's someone they seek advice from rather than center their life around. His identity can't be a one-time proclamation. Because if I lose sight of who Jesus is at any point, I'm at risk of falling back to my self-centered nature. This is seen by the countless people who encountered the earthly ministry of Jesus. At one point, they believed he was the Messiah. But when they lost sight of this fact, they chose to go back to their personal comfort or former behavior. For example, Jesus had to fit Judas' understanding of the Messiah. And as a result, Judas tried to force Jesus to fight the Jewish leaders. This resulted in Christ's crucifixion and Judas' subsequent suicide. Peter lost sight of Jesus' identity and denied knowing him 3 times. The difference between these two was Peter's identity rested not in his goodness but in what he knew about the grace of his Savior. And thus, Peter repented and was restored to a right relationship with Christ.
   Jesus' identity needs to permeate our entire life, or he will become a genie-like god that we only seek out when we want something. A purposeful life comes from having our identity in Christ, or we'll have an identity crisis.
   What's your life revealing about who Jesus is to you?