Identity is a big word these days. Who are you? What do you stand for in life? How do you live your values? What is your Why?
These are big questions and we should ask them often. Pastor Suzanne and I like the book about identity by Simon Sinek titled Start with Why[1]. The identity conversation begins with a comparison of two major influences of human behavior, manipulation and inspiration. Sinek argues that inspiration is the sustainable choice allowing us to take risks to solve problems. I would argue that inspiration overcomes fear which is one of the reasons we do not get things done in life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke about this in his work titled Ethics. Bonhoeffer takes on the notion that there is freedom in considering one’s obligation to others. Moreover, freedom comes from inspiration in Jesus Christ.
“It is not to decide simply between right and wrong and between good and evil, but between right and right and between wrong and wrong. As Aeschylus said, “right strives with right.”[2]
In our current sermon series, Scott Erickson asks us to consider the disciples and their identity. They had just lost everything. Inspired by Jesus, the disciples did much in the ministry while he was alive. Following the crucifixion, the disciples return to their original work – fishing. Fishing is a return to their pre-Jesus identity. Post crucifixion they fear for their lives. They want to blend in and hide their new Jesus identity.
In John’s Gospel the disciples fishing story is unsuccessful in this passage. Even an all-night session yields nothing. Jesus yells from the shoreline, “Have you caught any fish?” They answer, “No”. Jesus yells out to them again, “Throw your net on the other side.” The catch is huge! Their fear begins to melt as they recognized it was the Lord. They become comfortable again with their Jesus identity. But look closely, the identity of fishing is now changed. Scholars suggest that the number of fish caught is a representation of the nations of the world. In addition, the act of “catching” is the process of disciple making, in other words, inspiring people towards a new identity in Jesus Christ.
We are engaged in this identity work here at HPCUMC. In worship this week, 3 people will be baptized and 11 people confirmed in response to Jesus– a call to inspiration, that leads to a new life.