IDENTITY

In a fragmented world fraught with anxiety and endless pursuit of validation, a timeless truth emerges from the Gospel: identity is not shaped by the fickle opinion of humanity but by the unwavering, eternal love of God. This insight challenges the pervasive human tendency to seek approval from peers and reminds us of our value in the divine perspective.

The care God extends to His creation, including even the sparrow, a creature valued at mere pennies in biblical times, is remarkable. This biblical imagery resonates deeply, encouraging reflection on our own existence and its significance to the Creator. God’s care and concern are neither transient nor selective. As demonstrated through Jesus' crucifixion – He willingly endured suffering not simply to rise again for His own triumph, but so that humanity might share in eternal life. This act of ultimate sacrifice is a testament to humanity's worth in God's eyes.

According to Jewish tradition, Rabbi Simeon ben Yochai once witnessed a profound interplay between divine will and earthly happenings. Emerging from a cave in the wake of Roman persecution, he observed a hunter attempting to catch birds. Each time a celestial voice cried "dimissio" (Latin for "forgive"), the bird escaped; when the voice proclaimed "specula" ("watch"), the bird was captured. Rabbi Simeon's revelation was clear: if even a bird’s fate falls under God’s providence, how much greater is His care for mankind.

This divine providence is echoed in a poignant Japanese proverb, reminding us that even a hunter will not shoot a bird seeking refuge in his garment. How much more compassionate, then, is the Creator’s love for those who seek refuge in Him?

Who Are We in the Eyes of God?

The foundational question of human identity – who am I? – finds its answer only when we recognise ourselves as beloved in God's sight. In Spanish and other Western languages, the word “pupil” (PUPILA) signifies the central focus of the eye, often metaphorically linked to being someone's favourite. Scripture itself uses this poetic imagery to describe God's tender love for His people. In Deuteronomy, the Lord’s people are described as "the pupil of His eye" (Deut 32:8-10). This phrase is more than metaphor; it is a truth that defines the relationship between God and His creation. 

Jacob, often seen as flawed and unworthy – a deceiver struggling for significance amidst family dysfunction – is nevertheless guarded by God with intense love, as the "pupil of His eye". Despite his shortcomings and errors, Jacob’s story demonstrates that the Lord’s favour does not hinge on human perfection but on divine mercy. Similarly, when God reassures His people in Zechariah, He proclaims that to injure them is to harm the very pupil of His eye (Zech 2:12).

A Flawed Model of Identity

Yet, human insecurity often prioritises superficial validation over divine revelation. We define ourselves by accomplishments, judgments, and fleeting approval from others, fearing their disapproval or rejection. This pursuit fuels neurosis and depression, creating a precarious foundation for self-worth. 

Jesus, however, lived in complete security of His identity, rooted in His relationship with the Father. Upon His baptism and later at the Transfiguration, the Father declared: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight." Jesus’ conviction of this eternal love shielded Him from the instability of human opinion. By contrast, we often peer into the eyes of others for validation, ignoring the steadfast gaze of God, who sees us as His children through Christ.

Broken by the need for human admiration, many sacrifice authenticity. This desire can lead us to trample on others to secure a spotlight that offers no lasting peace or fulfilment. Jesus offers a transformative alternative: identity rooted in divine love, liberated from the exhausting pursuit of human approval.

The Scandal of Redemption

This liberation comes through what may be perceived in human terms as compromise or scandal. The Prodigal Son found redemption only after descending into the depths of disgrace in a pigsty. Yet, in that lowest moment, he experienced the embrace of the Father’s love – every hair of his head counted. Similarly, the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair in the house of Simon the Pharisee had been scandalised by her past. Yet, her humility and love drew Jesus' compassion, not condemnation.

The grace of compromise, while bitter in the eyes of society, is often the gateway to spiritual renewal. It frees us from the obsession of crafting a perfect image in others’ sight. Instead, it focuses our hearts on being noticed by God – a gaze that transforms and redeems.

A Choice Before Us

Every Christian is presented with a choice: to live for God or to live for human recognition. The former path leads to freedom; the latter, to entrapment and the endless hamster wheel of self-promotion. Jesus teaches that the approval of humankind cannot guarantee eternal love or peace – but God’s love can. 

To seek refuge in God is to renounce the exhausting pursuit of applause, instead finding identity and worth in His eternal gaze. It is better to be trodden upon by others than to trample on them in vain aspirations for worldly admiration. Ultimately, the one who humbles himself and turns to God will find freedom, amidst scandal or compromise, in knowing that he is infinitely cherished in the eyes of the Creator. For in God, we find not only our identity but also the promise of eternal life.