Talking Points with Pastor Lucas - Be Who You Are

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (John 1:19-20)

The Jews asked John the Baptist a simple question: “Who are you?” It’s a common question. Most of us have been asked it. How do you typically answer? With your name? Your title or position? Your place in your family? John was asked because of what he was doing and what he was saying. It’s a reminder identity and behavior often go together. In other words, who we are is connected to what we do. That means identity is more than just a name.

John was his name, but we know him better by what he did. He was John the Baptist, John the baptizer. He was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. The Jews knew his name, but they wanted to know whether he was the Christ. They wanted to know his identity.

What’s your identity? Who are you? Are you a worker or neighbor? Are you male or female? Are you a son or daughter? Are you a husband or wife, father or mother? To be sure you have a name, and names certainly give an identity, but a name is only part of your identity. All the daily stations of life are a part of who you are and what God intends for your life.

Your weekly ritual actions as a Christian certainly says something distinct about your identity. You attend worship and receive the gifts of God’s grace. That says something about your identity. There you confess you are a sinner. That’s no small part of your identity. That part stings, especially since the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

Being a sinner means your identity is affected by imperfection. It means your being is corrupted by selfishness. Life as a sinner means your being is plagued by jealousy and greed, even as your body is afflicted by disease and physical need.    

John the Baptist came preaching about such things. The Jews knew his name, but they wanted to know his identity. “Who are you?” they asked. 

John clarified he was not the Christ but came to point to Him. In fact, he said he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. He served Jesus. He belonged to Jesus. John knew his identity and what God had called him to do. His identity, therefore, informed his being, which in turn directed his behavior. John the Baptist shows us whose you are determines who you are and what you do.

Just as it did with Jesus. He was the Son of God. His identity determined His being and His behavior. He came as the Christ; the prophet foretold by Moses. He was sent by God the Father to redeem the world, and to give you a new identity.

To be sure, you and I are sinners. That means we hurt others, and others hurt us. It means we get angry and upset. And yes, it means we are mortal. Which means we get scared and our body gets sick, ages, and one day will die.

But John the Baptist came pointing us to the One who gives us our identity and being. He came preparing the way for the One who sanitizes our sin and sanctifies our soul by sacrificing Himself. He made straight the way for the One who forgives sin, heals the sick, and raises the dead.   

So, who are you? You are forgiven. You are beloved. You are a precious, baptized child of God redeemed by the shed blood of Christ. You belong to Him. You worship Him by hearing His Word and receiving His body and blood. You follow His Word and obey His commandments. You serve others through your daily stations of life in your family, in your community, through your work, and in your congregation. You belong to Jesus.

Whose you are determines who you are and, therefore, what you do. Your identity, your being, and your behavior go together. Therefore, be who you are.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President, MN South District
LCMS