Identity Shaped in Relationship

The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 7C), June 24, 2007

BCP: Zech. 12:8-10; 13:1; Psalm 63:1-8; Gal. 3:23-29; Luke 9:18-24

RCL: 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a or Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 42 and 43 or Psalm 22:18-27; Gal. 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39

In this week’s gospel lection, Jesus pauses in his ministry to inquire of his followers about his own identity. The best the crowd could do was say Jesus was a prophet, a great prophet perhaps, but merely a prophet. And prophet he was: an apocalyptic prophet. He was more than a prophet, however. As Simon Peter was quick to confess, Jesus was the Messiah of God.

While that answer was correct, and seems self-evident to modern Christians, it was the greatest stretch of all the answers. It was such a stretch that in Matthew’s gospel Jesus praised Peter for it and then said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father in heaven” (16:17). The idea that Jesus was the Messiah was so novel, Jesus said, that no one would have reached that conclusion by unaided, human reason.

Early in his ministry Jesus’ identity was a major concern for him, his followers, his enemies, and the people who followed after him. His identity continues to be of great importance to us today. The dialogue in Chapter 9 not only speaks to the identity of Jesus, but it clarifies the identity of Peter and, indirectly, the others. If Peter knows Jesus as the Christ, then that makes Peter a disciple.

Our Lord’s encounter with the disciples raises several issues relating to identity. In Peter’s response to Jesus’ question, he certainly must have had a moment of self-revelation as to who he thought he was, an identity shaped in his relationship to Jesus. Thus the larger issue became not just who Peter thought he was at that moment, but who he was becoming. Who he was deep in his soul would ultimately be determined through his continual allegiance to his Messiah, especially as Jesus’ ministry and purpose began to be revealed.

Discovering who we are is an ongoing lifetime process. Paul describes this change in the epistle reading. When he speaks of the change from law to faith, he is speaking of changing identity. He is very clear when he writes, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Human personality never solidifies, as Peter would later learn. It is dynamic, constantly in flux. Peter would not exactly be the same person he was once he got to Jerusalem with Jesus.

It is in relationship with others that we begin to get some answers to the question, “Who am I?” In Luke, Jesus is asking his disciples who the people following him say that he is. Then he asks that question directly of the disciples. Personal identity is formed in relationship, never in a vacuum.

Look It Up

In the liturgy for baptism the question to candidates regarding the promise to “follow and obey” Jesus as Lord is preceded by the question of whether or not they will place their whole trust in the Lord’s grace and love (BCP, P. 302-303).

Think About It

Are we a different person today in relationship to Jesus Christ than we were one year ago, or 10 years ago?

Next Sunday

BCP: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16 or 16:5-11; Gal. 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

RCL: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 or 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 or Psalm 16; Gal. 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62