We recently attended an event that featured a well-known speaker. After she arrived, we noticed a man at the back of the room who stuck out like a sore thumb. We figured he had to be a bodyguard. I was fascinated as I watched this man do his job.

For the most part he stayed in his position where he could best keep his focus upon the woman he was guarding, but he also had a view of everyone else in the room. From time to time he moved a few feet to the right or left to see clearly with unhindered focus.

I noticed a few things about this man. Just by looking at him, even though we didn’t know his name, we knew his identity. He looked stern, never cracking a smile or showing any emotion. His face was set like a flint, and his whole demeanor spoke clearly who he was.

It was also clear that this man knew why he was there, what his purpose was. He had one purpose – to keep the speaker safe from any harm. He had a mission and he was completely focused on this mission. He never wavered, never relaxed, never let down his guard for even a moment.

It was also obvious who the object of his attention was. His gaze never left her, even as his focus took in the whole roomful of people. He was very well trained, intent on fulfilling his purpose and mission, even if it meant giving his life for the one he was focused upon.

Watching this man reminded me of Jesus. Jesus knew who He was, His identity as the Son of God come to earth in the flesh. He also stood out like a sore thumb. Wherever He went, even if people didn’t know His name, they knew there was something different about Him. Jesus carried with Him the authority of God, and in all He did, that authority was evident.

Jesus knew His purpose. He came to this earth with one main purpose – to show us the Father and to point out our need for forgiveness of sin. Then He became that sacrifice for us, dying on the cross to take the sin of the world upon Himself, and raising from the dead that we might also live with Him.

Jesus’ mission was clear to Him. He knew what He had to do, and His face was set as a flint (Isaiah 50:7). He never once wavered from His mission. Each day He sought His Father’s instructions, and remained faithful to obey and complete His mission.

It was easy to tell who the object of Jesus’ attention was. He talked much about His Father and kept His focus upon Him. He was intent on bringing glory to His Father and revealing Him to the world.

If we proclaim to be a Christian, a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, do we know our true identity as such? Can others tell there is somethings different about us just by looking at us?

Do we know what our purpose and mission are, that we are created to bring glory to God? Do we daily seek the Father for instruction and set our faces like flint to obey? Is it obvious to us and others who the object of our attention and affection is? Is our focus continually upon the Lord? We need to become more like Jesus.

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