WATCHWORD:
27 So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, created them male and female. 28 Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth. 29 Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment. 30 As for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and every small creeping creature—everything that breathes the breath of life—I have given them every green plant for food. And it happened just as God said. 31 Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness. Evening gave way to morning. That was day six. Genesis 1:27-31 The Voice
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5
Meditation:
Imago Dei?
Imago Dei? Image of God. What does that mean? You and I, this is what God looks like? Be serious! Well, the New Life Version of the Bible puts it this way, And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female. How are we to take that?
Okay, one version says ‘image’ and another says ‘likeness’. These are terms that mean the same thing, so let us not load those up with different meanings: It is simply the image of God.
Some understand image of God to mean those qualities that make us human. You know, like free-will, ability to think and reason, having a soul, self-consciousness, awareness of God and our ability to relate to him. These qualities that make us human seems like a good definition.
Still we have disagreements: ‘Big Bang theory’, ‘evolution’, ‘creationism’, etc. I’m sorry, I don’t want to get into that. For me, it distracts from my faith-truth that God created. God made it all and he made it according to His plan, His process, and His ways are not my ways. That is almost all I’ve got. Almost, that is because that is why I included the John 1 passage, above.
So many favorite Scripture passages are found in the Book of John, specially the opening verses that are filled with poetry and truth. And there is Jesus! Right at the beginning, taking part in the joy of our creation. But it is more than that; we see Jesus throughout the Bible if we know how to look and understand. We are there to witness water-to-wine at the start, then healings, feedings, and life-changing events. He loved this creation of His so much that he let our sin fill His being in order to become payment for that sin. He freed us, an act so incredible that it is hard for us to understand. It was a gift, an unimaginable gift!
But how does that relate to the image of God? If we were not created in the image of God we would simply be chattel, another species roaming the earth with none of the gifts we take fore-granted, no intellect, no soul. And, by the way, no divine adoption, no daughter or son of the Most High. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Gratitude
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
