Lab Coats, Credentials and Jesus

This week I have been hospitalized with an abscess in my lumbar spine. As a result, I have had a steady stream of white lab coats coming to visit me in my hospital room.  Their name followed by a long list of credentials on their lab coat is the first thing I see when they walk through the door towards my bed.  Embroidering one’s name and credentials on your lab coat is the closest thing to wearing your diploma.  These credentials reflect a person’s expertise and advanced training.  In the medical world, these credentials make a statement and they identify you.  When someone expects our trust, we look for credentials. This applies to our faith in Jesus. He too has credentials.

When Jesus was baptized, God's own personal testimony was heard from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22).  Jesus also made astonishing claims about himself.  People didn’t know whether to stone him as a blasphemer or believe him as the Messiah.  In the gospel of John, we see the cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist testify four truths about Christ’s identity. 

First, he announced Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, the One of whom the prophets wrote. John even quoted the word of Isaiah concerning himself, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23 NIV). 

Secondly, John announced Jesus to be "the Lamb of God." This is my favorite credential of Christ. To his own disciples Jesus said, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world," (John 1:29). Jesus is the innocent, sacrificial lamb who suffered in our place, taking our sins upon himself so we can come into fellowship with God the Father. 

Thirdly, John announced Jesus to be the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit as he witnessed Christ’s baptism and the Spirit coming down from heaven as a dove.  “The man on whom you see the spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”.

Fourthly, John declared Jesus to be "God’s Chosen One" (John 1:34).  John the Baptist was careful not to mislead others into thinking he was the Messiah.  John did not misuse his credentials.  John did not even think he was worthy of untying the sandals of Christ.

It is against the law to impersonate a doctor or nurse or falsely use their credentials.  It was also wrong for John to claim something he did not own.  Only Jesus is the true son of God.  Only Jesus has the power to forgive you of your sins.  Only Jesus demonstrated that he was God in human flesh by manifesting the credential of sinlessness. (1 John 3:5) Only Jesus has the power to give you eternal life in heaven.  God gave Jesus his credentials.  John 3:35,36 says, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

My cancer journey has been a very hard and painful one.  Sometimes, there doesn’t seem any hope of ever being normal again, doing the normal things I love like gardening or traveling with my family. Today is no exception. God shows me His loving care for me through a kind nurse, a knowledgeable doctor or a friend’s encouraging words and that gives me hope.  During this very difficult time, what a comfort it has been to wrap myself in God’s word and the credentials of my Lord and Savior.  When God looks at me, He doesn’t see my earthly credentials.  God doesn’t see my sin.  God sees his son Jesus.  I am wrapped in the protective grace of Christ.  I am a child of God. Those are the only credentials of any importance that really matter to me. 

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