Incarnated as God’s Perfect Image-Advent 6 (2015)

Q: Why did Jesus come as a man and not some other sort of creature?

A: Because only man bears God’s Image.

Jesus, as a man, was not only an Image bearer of God, He is the Image of God.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Jesus was Incarnated in human flesh in order to rescue the Image of God from mortality. It was through Jesus’ humanity that God would reconcile man and all the rest of creation groaning under the weight of human sin…and reconcile to Himself these things through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.

Thought for the day: No other man bears God’s Image the way Jesus did.  Jesus is God’s Perfect Image, His Perfect Reflection, and His Perfect Revelation.

Questions for pondering:

1. What is the significance that Jesus IS the very Image of God?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 3: 17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” When will we reflect God’s Image perfectly? Even so, will we ever BE the very Image of God?  Look at the reflection in the photo and ponder the distinction between an object and its perfect reflection.
3. How does a perfect and eternal being provide a sufficient and complete sacrifice for all mankind?  Would a near-perfect reflection on account of behavior alone have accomplished the same thing?  Jesus did not earn heaven and achieve godhood by being a well-behaved guy.
4. What role does our faith accomplish if Jesus paid it all in the death of God’s perfect Image bearer?

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Incarnation (2015 Advent Devotional Series) began November 29th.  By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2015 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><