Jesus healed a man and then forbade him to tell people He had done the healing (Mk 1:44). Jesus realized people would misunderstand His true identity and label Him as merely a Healer. Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the multitudes. When He realized people only partially grasped His true identity, calling Him a Prophet and King (Jn 6:14-15), he had to leave that area.
Jesus was arrested, manhandled, and tried before the Sanhedrin. Jesus stood as an accused Prisoner before judges who were determined to find a way to condemn Him to death. In that most ironic scenario, Jesus the condemned proclaimed His true identity. When asked if He was the "Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One...Jesus answered, 'I am' " (Mk 14:61-62). As He was lifted up on His cross, a sign above His head proclaimed His true identity for the world to see: "Jesus the Nazorean the King of the Jews" (Jn 19:19). Jesus wouldn't let His true identity be revealed apart from the context of His crucified suffering. He is the Crucified. He is the great I AM (Ex 3:14; Mk 14:62).
With St. Paul, say: "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God" (Gal 2:19-20). We are Christians. We receive our identity in Jesus. Live a crucified, triumphant life in Christ. Take up your cross (Lk 9:23).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, fill me with Your crucified love. May I never shrink from carrying my daily cross. |
| PROMISE: | "Jesus Christ is Lord!" –Phil 2:11 |
| PRAISE: | "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College