Weekly e-News for Sunday, April 2, 2023
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION:  PALM SUNDAY

Originally published in the Yonge St. Mission newsletter.
 

The Glory of Imago Dei – Tom Wong

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 NIV

How misguided have we become? Today, endeavoring to be an influencer, hiring image makers or focusing on our personal brand seems to be de rigueur. We TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and on and on…all for what? Personal glory?!

Instead, the goal should to bring glory to God through imago dei (i.e. the image of God). We are already predestined to be someone God made us to be. We have been called and justified by knowing exactly who God meant us to be. And, we will be glorified by being the distillation of God’s glory.

So what is imago dei telling us? Moreover, what is He telling us to do? And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:26-27 KJV

We, not the other animals of creation, are the only ones God created in His likeness. So what uniqueness did God give us specifically that separates us from other creatures? I believe it is His character – which would include compassion, dignity, grace, patience, creativity, humility and integrity. With it, we slowly move toward the goal of imago dei.

Why does the verse first use “in our image”, and then later God says “his own image”? Because, I believe, God is referring to Himself as three –Father, Son and Holy Spirit and also as one, the One. He is the unity of the trinity and we are indwelled by the harmony that is imago dei. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:15

Jesus is the image of the invisible God and as the Holy Spirit He remains unseen inside of us. But as children of God, imago dei is manifested through our actions here at YSM. In Hebrews 13:8 Jesus is consistent and ever-present, he is “the same, yesterday, and today, and forever” so we must strive to be as Jesus: serving our community with grace, enthusiasm and love… each day. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 1 Corinthians 15:49 KJV

With Jesus beside us and the Holy Spirit in us, God is always with us on our earthly journey. He brought each of us, reflecting His image, together at YSM and equipped us for our work in the mission. Could it be that by embracing our community, He is also preparing our heavenly realms? He has a plan for us. and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:10,12-14 KJV

We were created in the image of God. He is unlimited in His mercy, humility, gentleness, morality and forgiveness. We, however are very limited. The imago dei was corrupted by our sins. We did that! Yet, as fallen people, He still loved us, even at our worst. God’s plan included restoring us to how He originally intended us to be – in His own image. By His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, He renewed us intentionally so we could continue toward the goal of imago dei. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV

So in our mission of loving our neighbours, our light proclaims Jesus’ imago dei. We are made in His image and our deeds are in His glory. Imago dei is God’s indomitable essence and His inseparable presence. His essence is established in each of us. His presence can be found in the church and at YSM. As He works through us, our light and His glory is reflected on the faces of those YSM serve. It is a light that can be seen from as far away as heaven because it comes from heaven.