Identity

I want you to read these two statements closely and think about which one you identify with more readily.

God is my Father.

My Father is God.

Yes, at first glance there doesn’t appear to be must difference. Same words, just rearranged. Yet there is a difference. The difference in many ways is you.

The first recorded conversation of Jesus at age twelve had to do with this very matter. It became his entire mission during the last three and a half years of his life. Which one do you think he identified himself with? Is it different from your choice?

God. That is an impressive, commanding, almost breath-taking name. There is a great sense of respect and awe in just releasing that name through your vocal chords. It has a multitude of images associated with it, some contrived by the magic of Hollywood, but more by the oratory of preachers adept in creating the grandeur of His holiness throughout creation. Many of our thoughts of this most-high being immediately place us like Isaiah below His train crying, “Woe is me of unclean lips!” We immediately know that being equal with Him isn’t something you address openly with other believers. He is after all God, and He alone will make that determination.

Father. Warmth exudes from that name to most of us. Yes, it is true that many did not have a father figure that they could hold that kind of regard for, however, deep within everyone of them they’ve crafted an image who is the true picture of a father to them. He is caring and loving, willing to give of himself to encourage his child in all that they do. He is there in every circumstance to protect and be an anchor in times of uncertainty. Foremost, he is the very nature of unconditional love. In the name of father we find peace and security, rest and joy, strength and assurance. There are images that we all cherish when a father is recalled; whether from a childhood adventure to the cautious steps into adulthood, it is the father’s love which overshadows our life’s journey.

Many praise God from a side-line position, watching Him pass in royal dignity. Many embrace the Father as small children eagerly wanting to be lifted up high into the air and then proudly sat upon His shoulder for all to see. It is easy to love the Father but so much for a God who is love. With God, who is all knowing, it’s difficult to be open, but encouraging to know the Father will never leave or forsake you no matter what you do.

Jesus came to reveal the Father not as God but as Father. The revelation of God was already overwhelming the people of Israel. But a union between God and man, as had been the original intent in the garden, was what needed to be known and restored. This is what Jesus pursued for all of us even through the cross and ascension.

We, the church, are called the body of Jesus Christ. Yet we often are more concerned with the workings of God and His kingdom rather than what Jesus pursued for us with the Father. Some may take issue with me claiming that this is all a matter of semantics. No, it’s a matter of relationship. Everyone relates to God, only children know the Father. Bring a number of children together and ask any one of them about their father and they will often proudly proclaim, “My father is…” only to be met with a response of, “Oh yeah, well my father is…” Their relationship super-cedes the role the father is employed within.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples what the priorities of the kingdom were. “Our Father, hallowed be your name.” Father first, God second. This is not to diminish the nature of God but to show His importance in the nature of relationship first. This is what Jesus would demonstrate time and time again. So if we truly are His body it becomes vital to our daily walk to meditate on this one thing: My Father is God.