Identity update: Christ edition

Photo Credits: Njeri Kiruku

How do you define identity? To me, identity denotes a sense of association and power. This means that, whatever I have given power over me and allowed myself to associate with, defines my identity. Today, we shall focus on two people in the Bible whose identity changed forever, on account of Jesus Christ.

Woman who had bled for 12 years and received healing
In Luke 8:43- 44, we are told about the woman who had bled for 12 years. This is what the verses say, Now, a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. You see, for this woman, her condition had become her identity to a point her name was never mentioned. I would imagine people no longer referred to her by her name because the condition had superseded who she was as a person - or so we think. Perhaps she was a business woman and perhaps she had some accomplishments but that didn't matter because her condition took center stage. Seeing that the Bible tells us that she had gone to different physicians indicates that she desperately wanted to change her identity and be completely healed. She no longer wanted people to refer to her as "the woman who has been bleeding", she wanted a new narrative for herself. Determined to be well, this woman pressed in among a crowd and reached out towards Jesus Christ, with the hope that she would be finally healed.  

I like how Mark 5: 28 gives an account of this woman's thoughts as she pressed in. It says, "For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”. The result of her action of faith is recorded in Mark 5:29, which says, "Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

Man on the cross 
The second person we shall look at is one of the men who was crucified with Jesus. The Bible records that he was a thief or criminal in some versions. Perhaps for this man, that is all he knew to be, a thief - to a point he accepted his fate if he ever got caught. Maybe for him, what he had been exposed to curved out his path or he also made a conscious decision to take that route. Whatever the case, it is recorded that though this man was a thief, his story changed according to Luke 23: 32-46. Verse 40 -41 records the words of this man while on the cross - it says, 'But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

The next two verses indicate how this man's life was transformed - Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Now what?
What is interesting about these two stories is that, there were other people around who needed their identities shifted but didn't take on the opportunity. For the woman, it is recorded that there was a crowd - meaning that other people who had heard about Jesus could have also reached out in Faith. For the man on the cross, there was another thief also crucified who mocked Jesus. 

The truth is, each one of us has an equal opportunity to receive a new identity. The two stories show us that our identity shifts for the better when we encounter Christ and allow Him to move in our lives. The woman received whole healing while the man received eternal life. Their identities shifted. 

From the stories above we have seen that Jesus Christ plays a key role in transforming us and He can only do that when you let Him. If you have not received Him, today is your chance. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be the Lord over your life. Repent from your worldly ways and ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. If you have made this prayer your identity is now in Christ. Now choose to follow Him fully and walk in His ways. I would encourage you to read the book of John as a start and get in touch with a church that will guide you through discipleship.

Thanks for reading!