“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”(vs. 27) I think I’ve only thought about it when I need a pick-me-up on my image or when teaching the creation story at Children’s Church. Mmm… do I have a lot to learn...
McKnight explains that the word “image” in Genesis chapter one is tselem in Hebrew (the original language in which it was written) and then can be translated to the word eikon in the Greek. When we see the word eikon, we may think of our word icon, like an icon on a computer screen. I really like word pictures, and the picture McKnight paints is that we are literally made to be the icon to God, something created by Him to lead towards Himself. When I’m on my computer, I usually go straight for the firefox icon. I know that when I click on it, I will reach the internet. Could someone know that if they were to “click” on me that they will see evidence of God’s glory? Do I even think that I am capable of being an eikon that shows a glimpse of His glory? Apparently I am, because that is what He has created me to be. A song that comes to mind is David Crowder’s "Glorious", which reads,
“You make everything glorious. I am yours. What does that make me?”Seemingly not a difficult question, but I know that there are many days in my life that I don’t feel very glorious. I occasionally struggle with my self esteem, and I know that when I do, I am failing to see that God has made me to be a little bitty icon that leads to His glory.
Some friends and I recently studied Ephesians together. A verse that stuck out to me was 2:22,
“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”I asked a few of my friends what part of God’s building they would be. I think that I would want to be a window, so that people could look in and see God’s presence dwelling inside. This seems to go along nicely with the icon idea. Leading to God… having a divine purpose… showing a glimpse of who He truly is…
Sometimes when I look up at the stars, or stand on a crowded street, I am overcome by how small I am in comparison to the all knowing character of God, but I think that’s okay. Do you really think that an icon to the internet actually knows the complexity of the world wide web?
Dear friends, may I challenge you, as I have been challenged, to make sure that you are living a life as a worthy eikon of our God. May we together reflect His grace, His mercy, and His love so that those around us are drawn to view Him in His true glory.
