I have been thinking about "identity" a lot this week for some reason - reflecting upon the variety of labels or words I could use describing how I see myself or how I perceive others see me (The list is lengthy, and some not appropriate for a print here).  Among the variety of identifiers: father, husband, brother, son, pastor, teacher, football fan, preacher, poor golfer, colleague, friend.  I also would identify myself as a person of faith, a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and child of God.  These last characteristics are for me, the most important.  In fact, the last four descriptors help me better articulate and understand my other, previously mentioned roles.  This week, I have spent a lot of time thinking about who I am.

This coming Sunday, we shall reflect again upon the testimony from John's Gospel.  John is, of course, a little different than the other authors depicting the life and ministry of Jesus.  John has a different style - a different motive - a different purpose.  John can be a little confusing to read and understand because not everything is as it appears to be.  Words, phrases, images that seem familiar often have a much deeper, hidden meaning. 

Not surprisingly, Jesus is finding himself in tension with the religious authorities.  It is the festival of Dedication (Hanukah), and Jesus finds himself in Jerusalem, standing outside of the temple.  It is there Jesus finds himself being asked about his own identity; "Are you the Messiah?  Stop leading us along or playing with us, tell us plainly who you are!"  In typical Jesus fashion his answer is not pleasing to those who ask.  Yet in the midst of it all, we learn more about who Jesus is in both relationship to us and in relationship to God.  Through that, we learn whose we are, as well as who we are.  In Jesus, our own identity is revealed.

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