The Power of Identification

2nd Corinthians 5:21 states plainly for us about Christ's identification with us in our humanity so that, as we identify with Him in His resurrection, we, too, might be raised to new life:
21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Our Lord Jesus, in order to rescue all of us from the power of sin and death, eternal separation from God and everlasting punishment, came to earth, being born as a child, growing up, living a perfect life, and then giving His life on the cross.  According to God's principles, there was a penalty to be paid for our sins, our disobedience to God, and we were condemned to suffer that punishment.

Jesus came to meet and exceed God's standards, giving of Himself, dying on a cross, and now by virtue of His resurrection, we can be raised up to new life in Him.  Christ, the Lamb of God, was the perfect substitute for us, and as we recognize that He identified with us in our humanity and we, in turn, now identify with Him and accept what He has done for us, we can experience His life and a relationship with Him.

These verses from Hebrews chapter 2 express toward us the power of identification - reminding us that Jesus became like one of us, human, and gave His life so that fallen humanity might be saved:
14Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,15and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage...
17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

A rather striking photo hit the Internet yesterday afternoon, and I have to admit, the idea is intriguing.   A former President of the United States sitting in a wheelchair holding a toddler.   Their shirts - and their hair styles - matched...both of them with bald heads!   That's right, the 41st President, George H.W. Bush, shaved his head as an act of solidarity, or identification, with a 2-year-old child named Patrick, who has leukemia.   Patrick is the son of a member of the former President's Secret Service detail.

The Washington Times reports that Mr. Bush's office tweeted out, “41 poses with the members of his Secret Service detail who have also shaved their head to support little Patrick.” USA Today reports that the office also announced that Bush's Protective Division has "launched a website at www.patrickspals.org to assist with Patrick's medical bills, and organized the Inaugural Patrick's Pals Motorcycle Benefit Run on August 10th in Kennebunkport -- a 50-mile motorcycle ride through the Maine countryside followed by a lunch and silent auction to raise funds for Patrick's treatments."

Mr. Bush, who is now 89, and his wife, Barbara, lost their infant daughter Robin to leukemia 60 years ago this October.

That is so cool - I have to admit, I wondered what the former chief executive would look like without hair, and to show this type of solidarity, along with other members of his Secret Service detail, makes a statement for this young man and his family.   

And, when I saw the picture, I thought about someone who has identified with us in our struggles, and the power we experience when we recognize that.   Our Savior performed the ultimate work of identification with humanity in our sin and temptation.   He humbled Himself, coming down to earth from the throne of heaven, becoming a man, and living a sinless life!!   But, He was not without temptation.   Ultimately, He laid down His life as a perfect sacrifice so that we could know His life and His presence with us.   

Identification is powerful - He became the substitute for our sins. And we're told that He makes intercession for us - Jesus continues to stand with us.   He now calls us to identify with Him in that act of sacrifice on the cross, as we lay down our lives so that we can experience Christ as our life.   We die to self, so that Christ might live through us.   We take up our cross and are reminded that He surrendered His life on a cross so that we might be free.