Friday, June 4, 2010

Who You Are Identifier

WHO YOU ARE IDENTIFIER
Matthew 4:18-23
Matthew 9:9: “As Jesus went on from there [after teaching the teachers of the law], He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”

Jesus had just gathered together Peter, Andrew, James, and John before He added Matthew. The men trudged along side of Jesus, wondering what’s next.

Peter jogged ahead, then turned around. “What did You mean about I’d be a fisher of men?” (Mark 1:17).

Matthew asked, “Are you a fisherman?”

“Yeah. Can’t you tell, by my clothes? By the way, how far are we going?”
Jesus stopped walking. The men gathered around. “I know you’ve got questions, guys. But, all your needs will be met, and your questions answered, if you just pay attention. We’ll be together for awhile. Then you’ll have a chance to live what you’ve learned.”

People today have similar issues. When we meet someone new, we have questions about who that person is. Answers are as varied as how many different people there are. When getting acquainted with someone new, we need to have a starting place. We notice whether the person is a girl or a boy. Because we meet the person somewhere, we infer new information. If it’s at school, we know the person lives nearby. If we’re on vacation, the new person could be from anywhere.

Adults often use their work as their identifier. “I’m an electrician.” “I’m a construction worker.” “I’m a teacher” are all identifiers that give clues to further discoveries about a new person. Are people what they do, or do they do what they are? Is our work our only identifier? What happens then, when we stop working? When we retire, are we still identified with our career choice, or do we cease to be?

At the instant these few men followed Jesus, their identities changed forever.

For sure, Jesus is a compelling person. Today’s new identifier is charisma (kar-IS-ma, meaning magnetic personality), and aptly describes Jesus. His charm attracts, appeals to, and convinces those who follow Him. And following Him broadens people’s identifier about who they are.
Now their identifier proclaims whose they are.

Take Home Nugget

Identity drives a person’s behavior. Jesus wants to give every one of His siblings a new identifier that explodes into life purpose. The next time someone asks you who you are, perhaps your identifying response will be, “I’m Jesus’ disciple who wants to be a lawyer.”

When we grow up, what will we be?
Will we be smart, will we be rich?
It’s up to me what people will see.
I choose to show that following Jesus is my niche.
J.D. Griffith
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)