Atonement as Identification

There are so many theories of the Atonement and what it means for our redemption.  All use analogies of one kind or another, from Christ being the Sacrificial Lamb satisfying the demands of the Torah, to the courtroom motif of Penal Substitution, to the wartime motif of Christ as the Victor who conquered sin & death.  All have some level of support from the Bible, but each one presents a different shade of meaning to explain what happened at the Cross.

There is another way of looking at the Atonement, which I think is more consistent with Relational Theology, and that is Identification. Biblical support is there for this one, too, most notably in God being in the flesh in Christ, identifying with us (humanity) in our weaknesses, and us then identifying with Him in His death, and somehow attaining to the same resurrection from the dead and fellowship with God as Christ attained. See Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 103:13-14, Philippians 3:10-11.

This being election season, presidential candidates are criss-crossing the state hoping to raise support and adherents, maybe even dedicated volunteers to be local activists for them in their campaign. Local activists are much prized by the candidates, even though they also would like people to simply wear a button, slap a bumper sticker on their car, or put a sign in their yard, to show that they are a supporter, an adherent.

But activists... those who give of their time, talent, treasure to help the candidate succeed... these are the ones who have aligned themselves with the candidate's positions, hang on his/her statements in the press, offer explanations to their friends for what the candidate may say that is hard to hear. These people are committed, in for the long haul, win or lose. They've cast their lot with the candidate no matter what. And, they are also the ones whom, when the candidate is successful, may be rewarded with some sort of political gift, whether it's as life-changing as a job in the new administration, or as simple as a thank-you reception for campaign workers, or an invitation to the Inaugural.

This kind of radical identification is also what marks a follower of Christ who is in for the long haul, who identifies with Jesus as the one with whom they align. They are throwing in their lot with Him, whether He is popular or not, no matter how hard the work they are asked to do. And, their fortunes will rise or fall with His. I recall the story of the thief on the Cross - the one who believed and who defended Jesus even in the face of death - and how he asked Jesus: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom?"  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Jesus had previously made it clear that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and so any rewards for identification with Him would have to wait until the next life when those who are His will join Him in that eternal Kingdom.

That, to me, is what the Atonement achieved: Jesus identified with us in his suffering and death, and gave us the opportunity to choose to identify with Him - to be "all in" no matter what it costs us, because we align with His priorities, we believe He is "the one" - and so receive in the next life (an eternal one) all the benefits that come with being "one of His".

I guess that means that I'm a local activist for the Kingdom of God.  :)  And, as a local activist, I'm very much looking forward to the "political patronage" that will come my way after I pass from this life into the next, where Jesus will be King, and I'll have a spot in His administration.