Today's readings are about identity. Firstly, they are about the identity. Secondly, they are about our identity in him.
and they shall look on him whom they have pierced,
and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son,
and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn.
Recognizing who he is and repenting for our sins are seen to be the same action. In the cross we see the severity of our sins. But we also see a love that transcends them. Even as we would be otherwise moved to despair we are instead brought to hope.
On that day there shall be open to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.
Jesus wants to make sure we understand who he really is. This is the central issue. If we get this wrong we'll be wrong about everything else too.
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
And this recognition can't be untangled from his saving work on the cross. That is his identity as love incarnate. But we also see that his identity becomes our identity when we recognize who he is.
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
This is what it means to recognize that he is the face of love. We can't just see what he does for us and remain indifferent. The cross must take its full course. Through the cross Jesus transforms his people from selfish and inwardly focused to selfless and loving.
This new identity that we have in him is greater than any of the natural things on which foolishly base our identity apart from him.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free person,
there is not male and female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Maybe we haven't fully realized his identity yet. Maybe our identity is still tied up in this world. Let us rejoice that he is at least causing us to recognize the thirst that is within us.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
Let us pray in confidence, knowing that he longs to fill that thirst!
Sanctus Real - The Face of Love
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