The True Image

We’ve been talking about the imago dei. God created man in His image, but then man created images of his own, to replace God.

We forgot what the imago dei really was. And so God came to the rescue. He Himself came – the true and ultimate image. Human, yes. And then – well, not a “copy” in some senses, but the exact image of God.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:13-15

Careful – “firstborn” doesn’t mean the first to be born, in this case. It means He is the highest, preeminent. How do we know that this is what it means? Keep reading…

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17

Wow – what else?

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Colossians 1:18

The “firstborn” from the dead? There’s that word again. Obviously, we’re not talking about His birth, or supposed beginning. He wasn’t created – He is the Creator. He is not dependent (remember that theme from our earlier studies?).

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

Let’s compare this with Hebrews 1…

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4

Jesus is the true image of God. Because, in His case, He’s 100% man and 100% God. He is the true King of Creation. He entered the world, taking Adam’s place, but in a better way.

This changes everything.

Jesus is a real human. He was really born, He grew up. He learned. He ate. He slept. He still has a body today, His glorified resurrected body. And He can still eat, right?

And He came to redeem us. According to Colossians and Hebrews, He brings us peace with God. Reconciliation, purification. He renews the perfect image of God in humanity.

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:49

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29

Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, who is spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Colossians 3:9-10

We have been redeemed, and the marvellous story of creation is beginning again. Except, this time, we have a relationship with the Creator which is even more intimate.

And we have an eternal vocation – to reign with Him. We have eternal value.

Listen – there are many philosophies in this world. Maybe we’re inside the Matrix, some kind of simulation. “Life is but a dream”.

Or maybe we just evolved by chance. There is no real value or purpose in life, unless we can somehow invent it ourselves. We make our own gods. Or we’re simply victims of blind fate. But in the end, there is no transcendent purpose or value, nothing that will be forever certain and true.

Maybe there is a god – who created the world – who knows why – but that god is no longer involved. He’s probably on a permanent vacation.

But in the midst of all these human inventions, the Image of God arrives.

Through the eyes of history we see a young mother with her little baby, laid in a manger, in clean straw. And everything changes. Why?

Time and space and humanity have purpose and value – because God entered into His creation. Merry Christmas!

Life is not “but a dream”. Why? Because God is here. Life is not random and without purpose. God is here.

Some people today try to argue that the physical isn’t really important – just some vague spiritual reality. Not true – God is here.

God cries. God has tears! God learns how to walk. God plays with toys. God take a hammer, a saw, and some wood, and makes a plow to sell to His neighbour. God eats, God sleeps, God cleans the dust from His feet. God walks in order to visit His cousin, to go to a wedding.

God cries when His friend dies. God prepares to suffer. God, through His humanity, dies and comes to life again.

This universe is real. It has value. It has a purpose. God is here.

And all of these silly intellectual philosophies dissolve into dust.

Do we understand? Everything has value and purpose.

You’re washing your car? Changing diapers? Guess what – it all has an eternal value and purpose.

What about a disabled person who can’t even speak? A defenceless baby? An old man who can’t even get out of bed? Image of God. Infinite value.

Paperwork and taxes. Exams and friends. Going swimming. Eating pizza. Your scraped knee. Your prayers. Your worship. Everything.

Sometimes we struggle with the teachings in books like Romans. If God knows everything, if God chooses and God plans, why do things in time and space have any meaning?

Because God entered into time and space. Because God chooses to use things in time and space to glorify Himself as Creator. He uses means.

Why pray, if God already has a perfect plan? Because, part of His perfect plan is to use your prayers. Your prayers are a part of your real relationship with God Himself.

If God defends the poor, why should I help them? Because God uses you to help the poor.

Everything in time and space is important.

And yes, even pain is real, and important. And for the redeemed, pain has an end.

Christmas changes everything. Life is amazing, important, valuable, exciting, eternal.

We’ll explore this more in future topics. But this is the end of part 3! And in part 4, we’ll look more at how God ordered His creation.