Identity: Who Are You? (Part 1)

You will know who you are when you know whose you are

John 1:19-28 - ¹⁹ And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” ²¹ And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” ²² So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight^[a] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

²⁴ (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) ²⁵ They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, ²⁷ even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” ²⁸ These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

“Who are you?” By that, I don’t mean your name, your work, or your job. I am not asking about the titles and labels others have placed on you. I’m asking about your identity— who you are when you are when you are alone, when no one is watching, when titles are stripped away and labels are no more.

The problem is that most people tie their identity to titles, labels, roles, or achievements. They need to know roles change, positions shift, and success fades but identity that defines us at the core. So, the real question is: who are you at the core? What makes you, you?

Today, we begin a series on identity from John 1:19-51. In this passage, John the Baptist was asked twice, “Who are you?” Also, in this passage, he revealed the identity of Jesus as the Lamb of God, which is different from how Philip identified Jesus using a traditional and cultural framework—name, place, family, as he said, “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Later in the series, we will get into traditional, cultural, and modern identity vs gospel identity, but today, the big idea is: our identity is not rooted in titles, labels, roles, or achievements. Those change. What does not change is who we are at the core.

So, the question is, do you know what makes you, you at the core? If you don’t, John 1:19-51 will argue that it’s the presence, purpose, and power of God that we receive when we truly accept our identity in Christ. Without that, we will chase approval, validation, and acceptance.

Today, we focus on John the Baptist’s response to “Who are you?” in John 1:19-28. His response exposes the contrast between traditional identity and gospel identity. From his response, we learn three truths that if our identity is in Jesus, our confession should be our confidence, our calling should be our courage, and our conviction should be our clarity.

Our Confession Should Be Our Confidence (John 1:19-21)

Our study starts in John 1:19-21, “¹⁹ And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” ²¹ And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

Appearing twice in verse 20 is the word, confession. The word for confession, homologeō in Greek, is to confess by admitting what one is accused of and to declare openly by speaking out freely. In both cases, it is the result of an inward, deep conviction that produces a type of confidence that the accuser doesn’t expect and that the accused projects because he is not ashamed, afraid, or timid of what they are guilty.

Recently, I saw a famous preacher online at a secular university engaging students regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. One student, in an attempt to discredit him, brought an accusation that the professor had said in an interview that he struggled with pornography. To his shock, the preacher confessed and did not deny and proclaimed thanksgiving that he didn’t have to fight his temptation alone, because Jesus is with him.

Having an identity in Jesus does not mean that we become sinless, but that we sin less by the power of the Spirit as we become more like Jesus. Satan and the world have power only until we confess and do not deny that we are sinners and need Jesus. When we confess, homologeō, by speaking out freely, out of an inward, deep conviction, it produces the same confidence John had, then neither sins, struggles, and shames define us, nor rites, rituals, and religion, but Jesus. When we truly identify with Jesus, our sins become His and His righteousness ours.

In our text, the accusers wanted John to say he was Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but to their surprise, John confessed and did not deny that he was neither Christ, the Messiah, nor Elijah, who was to come before Christ, nor the Prophet that  Moses promised God would raise in Deuteronomy 19:5. By the way, Muslims use that reference to claim Muhammad was prophesied by Moses. Anyhow, John refused to claim any titles because his identity was shaped by the gospel, not by cultural pressure, religious expectation, or the desire for validation, approval, and acceptance. John’s confession reveals three characteristics that can give us confidence as well:

John’s Identity Was Secured

John  was secure enough in his identity that he didn’t feel the need to claim a title that wasn’t his; therefore, he was not tempted by it. Too often, we are quick to take what is not ours and claim what belongs to others. Therefore, our insecurities make us chase approval, validation, and acceptance. Gospel identity liberates us from that pressure. The point is that we will never know who we are until we know whose we are. Without knowing who God is, we cannot know who we are. This is why we spent about four months in John 1:1-18 to learn who Jesus really is.

John’s Truth Was Superior

John admitted who he was not. Knowing who we are not helps us to live the truth of who we are. When we know we are not of this world, only then do we die to this world, the flesh, and the desires of this world so that we may live for Jesus. John lived in the wilderness, ate wild and weird stuff, yet he attracted large crowds with the message of repentance. Usually, popularity distorts identity, but not in John’s case. I have heard stories of people who want to be whatever others want them to be as long as they feel accepted, validated, and approved. Since John’s identity was not shaped by expectation, popularity, or pressure, he knew his truth. Gospel identity begins not with who we claim to be, but with who we refuse to pretend to be. What are you pretending to be? On what is your truth based?

John’s Confidence Was Sublime

John’s confidence in his identity was so strong that he needed no labels or titles. His confidence contrasted with that of the priests and Levites from Jerusalem sent by the Jews to interrogate him. That is a reference to the Sanhedrin, the most powerful group in John’s time. They loved and lived for labels and titles. The historical context was that in the last 400 years, no prophet had risen in Israel; that does not mean false prophets and false messiahs had not come— indeed, many claimed to be the Messiah. They sent a combination of Levites and priests to interrogate John the Baptist, for the tribe of Levi was chosen by God to serve.  In Exodus 32:26-29, when Moses delayed, and Israel began to worship the Golden Calf, the Levites stood against idolatry. Now, within the tribe of Levi, the family of Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen for the priesthood. Interestingly, John belonged to the priestly class by blood. Luke 1:5 tells us his father, Zechariah, was a priest, and on his mother’s side, he belonged to the family of Aaron. John’s confession reveals his confidence in his identity and his calling and not in his family linage. Despite massive crowds and national attention, he resists the temptation to claim titles that carried power, prestige, and influence.

Think of a relay race. The fastest runner does not win the race by grabbing the baton early or refusing to pass it on. Victory comes by running your leg faithfully and handing the baton to the right person. John refused to grab a baton that was not meant for him. Many people lose the race of life not because they are slow, but because they are running someone else’s leg.

Application

While insecurity always reaches for titles that is not deserved, a secure person can say, “That’s not me.” Gospel identity frees us from the exhausting cycle of self-justification. True confidence does not come from inflating your importance but from embracing your God-given limits. You are not the Messiah of your family, your workplace, or your ministry— and that is good news. This year, begin with this confession: I am not Christ—but I belong to Him. That truth alone will free us from performance-driven living.

 

Our Calling Should Be Our Courage (John 1:22-23)

John 1:22-23 reads, “²² So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

John defines himself as “the voice;” no titles nor labels. He doesn’t need a title because he has an assignment, a mission, calling. He understood that identity flows from mission, from our calling. He is not the Word— he is the voice. The Word gives meaning to the voice, not the other way around. John’s clarity about his calling produces courage before powerful interrogators. John’s confession gave him confidence, and his calling gave him the courage to speak freely without fear. His calling was to prepare the hearts of people to receive the message of Jesus.

A microphone has no value on its own. Its worth lies entirely in the voice that it amplifies. No one applauds the microphone; they respond to the message coming through it. John understood that he was a microphone, not the message. When you forget that, your calling becomes exhausting. When you remember it, courage replaces fear.

Today, the church is that same voice crying in the wilderness. The world is lost and people need to hear a call to repentance.

Application

Identity confusion often stems from purpose confusion. People who do not know why they exist will always seek approval, validation, and acceptance. But John stands unmoved because he knows why he was sent. He knew his calling and mission.

If you belong to Christ, you do not merely have a job; you have a calling. Your workplace, neighborhood, and family are not accidents; they are assignments. Ask yourself: Where has God placed me to be a voice pointing people to Jesus? When you know your calling, you stop fearing rejection. You may stand alone but you will never stand unsure.

Our Conviction Should Be Our Clarity (John 1:24-28)

John 1:24-28 continues with, “²⁴ (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) ²⁵ They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, ²⁷ even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” ²⁸ These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

Note how the questioning intensifies. They asked, “then why are you baptizing?” The issue behind the questioning is authority, which the Sanhedrin couldn’t stand. John’s actions implied a divine mandate that bypassed their institutional approval. Note the clarity on John’s end. Instead of defending himself, John redirects their attention to Christ– that He has come. John knew who he was and who he wasn’t; that clarity kept Christ at the center.

Imagine standing in a dark room holding a flashlight. If you turn the light toward yourself, everyone sees you. If you turn it outward, people see what matters. John never aimed the light at himself. His conviction kept the beam fixed on Christ. How about you and me?

Application

Identity clarity comes from Christ-centered conviction. When Jesus remains central, comparison fades, and competition dies. Ask yourself: Is my life, work, title, and label pointing people to Christ or to myself?

Closing Thought

As I close, imagine if your identity is tied to your relationships, what happens when the season changes? Or if it ties to your position, what happens when you lose your job or are not able to do that job? Tie your identity to your calling and conviction to be more like Jesus.

Action Step

Start your year with this realization that we only truly find “who we are” when we realize “whose we are” and what our calling is.

Appeal

Your role may change. Your season may shift. Titles may come and go. But gospel identity remains. So, give yourself to Jesus; let Him be your identity. When confession grounds your confidence, calling fuels your courage, and conviction sharpens your clarity, you will know who you are, because you know whose you are. Then you will not fall for traditional, cultural, or modern identity. If you are tired of chasing approval, validation, and acceptance from others, I implore you to let the gospel shape your identity.

Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, Application

• Observation                 https://www.kathyhoward.org/10-observation-tips-for-better-bible-study/

• Interpretation               https://www.kathyhoward.org/4-tips-to-help-you-understand-the-bible/

• Application                  https://www.kathyhoward.org/4-ways-you-can-apply-scripture-to-your-life/

Observation: What Does the Text & Message Say?

1. Who sent the priests and Levites to question John the Baptist (v19)? What does that tell us about the seriousness of the investigation?

2. What specific question is John asked more than once in this passage?

3. List the identities John clearly denies (v20–21). Why do you think John is so explicit?

4. What title does John use to describe himself (v23)?

5. What do you observe about John’s tone and posture when responding to the religious leaders?

   
   

6. What role does baptism play in raising questions about John’s authority (v24–25)?

7. How does John redirect attention away from himself (v26–27)?

8. What do you learn about Jesus from John’s description of Him, even before Jesus is named directly?

Interpretation: What Does It Mean?

1. Why do you think John’s confession of who he is not so central to his identity?

2. What does John’s refusal to accept titles reveal about gospel identity versus cultural identity?

3. Why is it significant that John identifies himself as a “voice” rather than a person with status or authority?

4. How does knowing his calling give John courage in the face of religious pressure?

5. What does this passage teach us about the relationship between identity and humility?

6. Why do the religious leaders struggle to accept John’s ministry, even though it aligns with Scripture?

7. How does John’s clarity about Jesus shape his understanding of himself?

8. In what ways does this passage challenge modern idea that identity is self-created or self-defined?

Application: How Should We Respond?

1. What titles, roles, or labels do you most often rely on to define yourself?

2. How would your life change if those titles were taken away? What would remain?

   
   

3. Are there areas where you struggle to admit who you are not—like trying to be the “Messiah” in situations God never intended for you?

   
   

4. What has God clearly called you to do in this season of your life? How does that calling shape your identity?

5. Where do you feel pressure to seek approval, validation, or acceptance from others?

6. How can anchoring your identity in Christ bring freedom from comparison and performance?

7. What practical step can you take this week to live more fully out of your identity in Christ?

8. How can this group help one another remain grounded in gospel identity rather than cultural labels?

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