Key Texts: Matthew 16: 1 – 4; Mark 9: 2 – 9; Matthew 16: 21 – 28: John 20: 1 – 9
Additional Texts: Matthew 12: 9 – 17; Mark 8: 22 -30; Matthew 9: 27 – 30; Mark 3: 7 – 12: John 6: 15, 52 – 66; 1 Corinthians 2: 8; Daniel 9: 25 – 26: Mark 1: 29 – 34; Mark 4: 33 – 34
It’s always helpful to read the texts prior to reading the entry, but if time does not allow you to do so in this sequence, you may still get the gist of it. The ‘Show and Tell’ series began a couple of months ago, with the objective of showcasing candid lessons from Jesus’ life on earth which both showed and explicitly told us more about God’s character.
We’ve all perhaps seen countless movies or read books as children with heroes who disguise themselves to test others’ loyalty. The hero typically hides his identity to determine his true love and companions, and lives happily ever after. In the key text as well as several other instances, (some of which are listed in the additional texts), Jesus refuses to disclose His identity, for reasons which supersede those of the heroes in childrens’ classics.
In the key text, Jesus is approached by the Sadducees and Pharisees, demanding a sign from heaven. Prior to this, Jesus’ fame had been spread, as He ministered to people through His teaching, healing and other miracles; they sensed an authority about Him, and feeling threatened by it, always sought to try to trap Him. It is interesting to note that both groups had divergent beliefs, but gladly united due to their common hate for Jesus. Whereas the Pharisees were more religious minded, astutely accepting
the authority of Scripture, the Sadducees were more politically motivated despite their acceptance of some Scripture (the Pentateuch). Both groups acknowledged Scripture, but followed traditions which were not necessarily Biblical. However, neither of them accepted Jesus as the Messiah. They were respected leaders whose approval may have mattered to some, but Jesus was unbothered by their ignorance.
Instead of trying to prove Himself to them like others who elevated them, Jesus candidly demonstrated His authority when He candidly responded. He frankly told them that though they could seemingly use the atmospheric conditions to determine the weather, they ironically had no discernment of the signs of the times. His frankness was reinforced when He added that they demanded signs because of unbelief: ‘Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a sign.’ The Life Application Bible’s version is profound! The only sign Jesus agreed to give then was a reminder of ‘the sign of the prophet Jonah.’ Jesus said this, alluding to Jonah spending three nights inside the great fish, a foreshadowing of His death and resurrection.
Jesus could surely have given multitudinous signs of His deity if He chose to. The Life Application Study Bibles commentary indicates that the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to explain Jesus’ other miracles as coincidences, but believed that only God could give signs in the sky. By demanding a sign from Jesus, they implied that this would cause them to believe Jesus’ identity. Despite this offer, Jesus refused to prove Himself to them. Indeed, He told them the truth behind their thoughts and left them, refusing to engage in any further parley about their nonsense! I love the frankness of Jesus! They could have stood there and debated His sovereignty for as much time as they could afford – He had better things to do in His ministry, and was ultimately focused on His purpose of getting to the cross as requested by His Father. So much for them coming to ‘test’ Him!
Not only did Jesus refuse to engage with His opponents’ sly demand for proof of His identity, but He also explicitly prohibited others who He ministered to from revealing His identity, some of which are included in the additional texts. On numerous occasions, He healed others who eventually recognised His Sovereignty, but instructed them to avoid broadcasting it. Not only is He kind, but He is also humble! Some people would do anything to broadcast minor ‘accomplishments’ to ultimately win others’ approval but Jesus, knowing the authority He possessed in His relationship with His Father, did not strive for human accolades; He focused on obedience to the cross as He cares for us, and He also chose to honour His Father.
The ‘Show and Tell’ series has also explored Jesus confidence in His identity. That must have been His key reason for having nothing to prove. He was confident that He was (and still is!) God’s Son, regardless of reactions to Him. Constant harassment from others who want to discredit your work can be frustrating, but Jesus assurance of His relationship with God prevented Him from falling prey to anyone who felt the need to ‘test’ Him. Additionally, Jesus knew that they would not believe Him regardless of signs! He referred to them as evil and faithless – a sign from heaven could stare them in the face but would not change their hearts! They had already decided to disbelieve, discredit and vehemently oppose Him. Another reason why Jesus did not disclose His identity to the Pharisees and Sadducees (and others) was His knowledge of all things including God’s timing: it was not time for them to know. Indeed, the religious leaders had a role to play in His death. As foretold in Daniel 9: 25 – 26, Jesus would be crucified during the Passover week; the religious leaders played a major role in this event because they ironically believed He was fraudulent. This paradoxical death sentence is the ultimate reason for Christians’ faith, so I’m thankful that Jesus humbly maintained His focus on the main reason for His time on earth!
Though He revealed Himself to His disciples (for example as seen in the additional texts: to the three at the Mount of Transfiguration who He told to keep it private, through His private teaching to the twelve without parables as they understood who He was, or through His teaching to the disciples about His imminent death, burial, resurrection and ascension in several Scriptures), Jesus, for the most part, concealed His identity until His death, burial and resurrection. To many who discovered His identity, He gave firm instructions to refrain from sharing it with everyone, and to others, He did not even mention the subject (for example in John 4 with the woman at the well). Regardless, Jesus was protective of His identity for God’s word to be fulfilled as planned and prophesied long before His arrival to earth.
As mentioned earlier, if the religious leaders actually believed in Him, they would not have crucified Him (1 Corinthians 2: 8). Furthermore, if Jesus allowed the masses to determine what to do with the revelation of His identity, they would try to make him an earthly king (John 6: 1 – 15) – when He discerned that they would try to force Him to be king, He went alone to the hills. Jesus knew that timing was important: those people who would accept Him would realise who He is after His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus knew He was on God’s timetable – He knew there was a set ‘hour’ for His ‘time’ (of revelation to all) and did not allow anyone, accolades or pressure to disturb that plan (John 2: 4; John 7: 1 – 9). He is in control! Even His earthly brothers disbelief in Him, the religious leaders’ surprise at His authority despite the fact that He hadn’t studied as they had, or His knowledge of the plot to kill Him did not cause Jesus to lose sight of His identity and God’s plan for it to be revealed.
He could have thunder-bolted His accusers, appeared as an earthly king with affluence, or called all the angelic forces to rescue Him at the cross, but Jesus endured this scepticism for me (Matthew 26: 53 – 54). When He was betrayed and arrested before the crucifixion, He told the angry crowd that though they could have arrested Him sooner, it happened as it did to fulfil Scripture (Matthew 6: 47 – 56). Jesus avoided the religious leaders’ questioning of His identity, but when it was God’s time for His crucifixion, He openly declared it (Matthew 26: 64). His solid identity meant He had nothing to prove, and kept Him focused on His purpose.
How about us? Can we assuredly say we are so confident in our identity that nothing sways us? Most of us don’t have time to care for others’ approval and are secure in our identity, including our strengths, gifts and areas for development. But, can we safely say nothing moves us? Do trials, adversity or even our own choices cause us to behave out of character and even consider whether we have lost our identity? Regardless of whether we follow Jesus, that is food for thought. To those who have a relationship with God, what could we do to grow in our sense of worth based on what He says about it? Are we confident that God loves and has a clear plan for us like Jesus, or do we need to study the Word to remind ourselves? Ephesians 2: 10, says we are masterpieces, created anew through Christ to fulfil our God-given purpose; 2 Timothy 1: 7 reminds us we have a Spirit of love, power and sound minds – not fear; 2 Corinthians 5: 17 declares that we are new creations; 1 John 3: 2 and Ephesians 1: 5 – 6 refer to us as beloved, and God promises to be with us always in Matthew 28: 20. I could continue with many others, but essentially, those of us who have started a walk with God have access to this identity.
Perhaps you have lost sight of your true identity in Christ, or have been fed lies about what to believe about yourself. Perhaps pressure has caused you to give in to the urge to prove your identity. Whereas an overt discussion about identity or beliefs has its place as we’ve seen with Jesus (He delayed the revelation of His identity but didn’t deny it), it does give us a better experience of life when we are not easily swayed to do or say things that conflict with our identity and purpose. Perhaps you’ve temporarily adopted a false identity that is unwholesome and unprofitable, which has only brought you and others harm. Perhaps Jesus’ candidness with His opposers might reassure us that we can stand firm in our identity in Him (and all that He requires of us), leaving ultimate approval to God.
As usual, prayer may not be your priority today, especially if you’re walking with God and question, like others in the Bible, whether your identity is what you’ve been encouraged to believe (Judges 6), or you otherwise doubt your self-worth. Perhaps you are aware of someone who needs some assurance of their identity in Christ or you want to explore what that means for you. Consider talking to God about it today, whether for a few moments, a minute or five. He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your example of Your thoughts through Your Son Jesus. His candidness in dealing with questions about the validity of His identity is assuring that You can help me to do the same and stand firm in who You say I am, despite conflicting pressures. Please enable me to walk in the identity You say I have consistently. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’
name. Amen.
