Mistaken Identity

Gospel: John 1: 45-51

Once again we have a Gospel passage where the identity of Jesus is a central element.  After Jesus makes a mere mention of seeing him under a tree, Nathaniel states that Jesus is the "Son of God and King of Israel."  Both titles are loaded with meaning for its time:  Son of God was a way of defying the Romans by using that title of the emperor to refer to Jesus, while the title king of Israel was an irritant to the Jewish authorities who rejected the idea of Jesus as Messiah.  

While the statements about Jesus may be true enough, they do not capture the identity of Jesus any more than any other title does.  Our choice of titles for Jesus say more about us than they do about Jesus, in fact.  Nathaniel, like his contemporaries and many Christians today, see Jesus and the Messiah in political and military terms, both of which will be made laughable when Jesus is arrested by the political and religious leaders of his day and brutally executed before the entire city.  

What titles do we give to Jesus in attempting to say something about his identity?  What does our choice of such titles say about us and our faith?  No matter the title we choose, it will be mistaken and it will fall short of who Jesus is.  It will also reveal the limitations and inadequacies of our own faith.  But we, like Nathaniel, have this promise of Jesus that one day we might see the angels of God ascending and descending between heaven and earth, that our faith will grow over time - never being perfect, but getting better each day on our walk with Jesus. 

Who Am I?

Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-20

In the Gospels there is a measuring stick that identifies the extent to which a person understands who Jesus is.  It is expressed in a variety of titles people give to Jesus:  sir, rabbi, prophet, Messiah, Son of God/Savior of the world.  In today's account, the disciples relate what people say about Jesus, all of which see him as a prophet.  When Jesus asks them who they say Jesus is, Peter steps up to use the titles of Messiah and Son of God, for which Jesus praises the answer.

Yet two verses later Peter will be rebuked for really not knowing what those titles meant, for he saw them in political/military terms and not in the Suffering Messiah.  But in many ways Peter's answer to the question of who Jesus is misses the point, for the answer is found in the question itself - who am I.  The answer is "I am."  Jesus is the presence of God on earth, God who is with us in our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows.  And that presence is all we need in our lives.

When Jesus asks us who we say he is, he is not looking for a theologically precise definition from Chalcedon or 20th century Christology.  The question is not a catechism quiz.  It is a personal, spiritual, mystical one.  The answer is simply the one Jesus gives at his arrest - I am - for he is simply God's presence among us, the one who is with us in our celebrations and in our mourning.  God is not a warrior, king, or emperor.  God is simply the one who shows up and is present to us at all moments of our life.

Of Titles and Fineries

Gospel:  Matthew 23: 1-12

What Jesus has to say about titles, honors, and fineries of religious leaders is addressed to his disciples, not to those in religious authority.  The latter group would not listen to such criticism.  There is hope that Jesus' followers themselves might heed these words, but as anyone with functioning sensory systems knows that sadly these words of Jesus will go unheeded throughout history to our own times and places here and now.  

Everyday we see clergy seeking political power and influence in seats of privilege.  We hear clerics state how humbled they are to be invited to be guest preacher at a church whilst broadcasting such humility far and wide on social media.  The endless shopping for religious garb and fineries that keep up with the titles of privilege and power sought by priest and pastor carries on as if these words of Jesus were never spoken at all.  

Meanwhile, Jesus went about wearing simple garb healing people of their infirmities, freeing them from the demons that plague them, and feeding them at table.  No media train, no self-promotion, and in fact a running from crowds and attention highlight Jesus' work in the world.  That the words and example of Jesus have little actual impact on the Christian Church is all too obvious and scandalous.  But his life and words are still there for those who seek the authentic way of religion.