In Luke 19:10, Jesus talks about why He came to Earth, saying, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (NKJV).
Now, let’s break it down. At first, it might seem like a simple thing Jesus said, but if we look closer, it’s super deep. Jesus didn’t just come to save “who” was lost, but “that” was lost. Let’s take a trip back to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve used to be close to God.
In that beautiful garden of Eden, intimacy and identity were intertwined, forming the essence of humanity’s connection with their Creator. However, the fall from grace severed this bond, leading to a loss of intimacy and a distorted sense of identity. They no longer knew who they were, they hid and covered themselves with leaves.
But you know what? Even when we mess up, God’s love is still there for us. He helps us find our way back to who we truly are. So let’s not hide away in shame. Instead, let’s embrace God’s love and let Him restore our sense of identity.
Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus initiated the restoration of what was lost in the Garden. He paved the way for us to reclaim the intimacy and identity that define our relationship with God. Yet, even today, many Christians find themselves wrestling with these fundamental aspects of their faith.
The struggle to comprehend our true identity in Christ and to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with Him persists. Even if we know a lot about God, really grasping how He sees us is a big challenge for many of us, no matter how long we’ve been following Him.
But let’s not get discouraged! It’s all part of the journey. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With God’s help and the support of our Christian community, we can keep growing and learning about who we are in Christ. So let’s keep pressing on and trusting that God will reveal more of our identity in Him as we continue to seek Him with all our hearts.
In Isaiah 52:14, we find a glimpse of the depth of Christ’s sacrifice: “As many were astonished at you, his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind.” His resemblance was taken; we received our identity back—thank you, Jesus.
As we approach this Resurrection weekend, let us reflect deeply on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. May we truly embrace our identity and the profound extent of what Jesus endured on the cross for us. Let His love and grace transform our understanding of ourselves and our relationship with our heavenly Father.
May this Resurrection Sunday be filled with meaningful reflection, gratitude, and a renewed sense of identity in Christ for you and your loved ones.
| Consider this Reflect on Jesus’ Purpose: Meditate on Luke 19:10 to understand Jesus’ mission of restoring what was lost, going beyond individual salvation to reclaiming intimacy and identity. Embrace God’s Love: Despite our imperfections, accept God’s constant love and allow Him to restore our identity. Reject shame and actively embrace His grace. Seek Growth in Faith: Understand that discovering our identity in Christ is a journey. Stay committed, relying on God and Christian community for support, and trust in His ongoing revelation of our identity in Him. |