Monday Memo 706: Who Are You?

I was speaking on a Sunday morning in Guyana not too long ago when I turned to John 1 to look at John the Baptist. I had never before noticed what I saw that morning:

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (John 1:19-22, emphasis added).

The Jews repeatedly asked John, "Who are you?" If John did not know who he was, perhaps he would have fallen into the trap that others had or would fall: "Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many" (Mark 13:6). The delegation demanded to know what he had to say about himself. Without hearing from him, they would have been free to interpret him and his ministry for themselves, probably coming to a wrong conclusion. John knew his purpose, which allowed him to admit who he was: "I am not the Messiah."

If people pressed you with the same question, "What do you say about yourself?", what would you say? How would you respond to them? Would you allow them to answer their own question, or would you answer it for them? This is important, for Jesus was asked the same question by the same leaders: "Who do you think you are?” (John 8:53b). Jesus responded by saying. I am!" and the Jews tried to stone Him for blasphemy. On another occasion, He told His disciples He had come to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). When you are clear about who you are, people can get upset for any number of reasons but some will also follow your lead because you are clear as to where you are going.

Paul and Peter knew one another's purpose and Paul was able to clearly describe them both: "On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised" (Galatians 2:7). Notice that Paul saw God had entrusted them with their purpose, something God had given to them to steward and maximize to the fullest.

You need to see your purpose in the same light, for it is an assignment that brings great joy as well as great responsibility. It all starts, however, with knowing what it is and acknowledging it to others, refusing to allow them to do that for you. As we close, I leave you with the questions asked in the verses we looked at today: "Who are you? What do you say about yourself? Who do you think you are?" If you ponder and answer those questions, you will be well on your way in your personal PurposeQuest.