Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 6:12-16
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PATRONS OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Jesus "selected twelve of them to be His apostles:...Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James…" —Luke 6:13, 15-16
Today’s saints are the apostles Sts. Simon and Jude. Each had the same name as a more widely known apostle. Simon the Zealot shared a name with Simon Peter, the leader of the apostles. Judas Thaddeus (also called Lebbaeus in Mt 10:3, KJV) shared a name with Judas Iscariot, “who betrayed” Jesus (Mk 3:19). Jude is a nickname given to Judas Thaddeus for fear of otherwise having to say “St. Judas” rather than “St. Jude.” One might call Simon and Jude the patrons of mistaken identity. Yet they are part of the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14). These two were leaders chosen by Jesus (Mt 10:1-4; Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:12-16). We all benefit from their blessed leadership.
We Christians often have mistaken identities (see 1 Cor 4:9-13). We are called hypocrites, intolerant, haters and fanatics. Our parents, family, friends, and children who do not believe in Christ think we are something other than who we are in Jesus. They cannot see our true identity in Christ (1 Cor 2:14). They can’t overlook our history or our past sins. They identify us with a stereotype rather than giving us a chance to be who we are in Christ. Sts. Simon and Jude understood this well.
In Jesus, we are no longer strangers (Eph 2:19). Our identity is in Him (see Acts 17:28). God knows and loves us completely (see Ps 139:1-3). That was enough for Simon and Jude to be glorious saints, adopted children of God, powerhouses in the kingdom of God. Let your identity always be securely rooted in your relationship with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, grant that my identity would always be in You alone.
Promise: "In [Jesus] you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit." —Eph 2:22
Praise: According to tradition, St. Simon was preaching in North Africa at the time he was martyred. He was said to have been killed by being sawn in half. St. Simon, pray for us.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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