One of the aspects of social media I appreciate — or did when I was on it — is the profile tagline. For those unaware, the tagline is the concise statement that hangs out under your name and picture and it tells others who you are and what you’re about. Some use that space to put a funny quote or witty saying; others will point to their vocations or achievements; still others will use the tagline to highlight their hobbies. However one chooses to fill the tagline void is up to them, but it will be one of the very first impressions others get of them online.

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, according to Luke’s Gospel, he essentially fills out his social media profile with a tagline from the Israelite prophet Isaiah. Jesus is at synagogue in his hometown and he takes the scroll of Isaiah, finds the verses he wants to read, and then proceeds to tell his audience who he is and what he’s about. And I got to say, it’s quite a tagline! Here’s what he reads:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Of all the ways Jesus could have identified himself and his mission, this was how he chose to do it. And right away, two things jump out. The first is the shoutout to his family. If you want to know Jesus, you first have to know whose Son he is, whose Spirit lives in him, because unless you first understand his family ties, you’re not ever going to understand who Jesus really is or what he’s truly about.

The second thing is that instead of turning to his hobbies or his favorite things or even his vocation, Jesus turns to Scripture, to the tradition of his people, as the way of articulating his own identity. He chooses to take the well-known words of Isaiah and make them his own rather than attempting to come up with something from scratch.

I’m compelled by both of these choices. I wonder what would change in me if the first thing I chose to say about myself had to do with my relationship with God instead of what kind of beverage I like or what accolades I have earned? I am a beloved son of God. His Spirit lives in me, too. Maybe that’s the truest thing I could ever say about myself.

Jesus’ words here also have me thinking about what Scripture I might turn to in order to give shape to my life. What words of God could help me articulate who I am and what my life is about? Have you ever thought about that? What would you say?

It could be a great tagline.

Joshua Gorenflo and his wife, Kya, are ministers at Kenai Fellowship, Mile 8.5 on the Kenai Spur Highway. Worship is 11 a.m. on Sundays. Streamed live at kenaifellowship.com.