Have you ever observed a very young child the first time they notice their reflection? The wonder on their face is a sight to behold. There is an expression of awe that fills their eyes until their whole countenance is rapt with discovery of that person in the mirror who smiles when they smile, frowns when they frown, reaches out when they reach out, indeed does exactly what they do. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that we were “created in the image and likeness of God.” In other words, we are a reflection of who He is. When was the last time you were overwhelmed with the wonder of this; the awesome privilege and sobering responsibility it is. Colossians 1:15 NLT says of Jesus “He was the visible image of the invisible God.”. Let that sink in.
John 1:1&14“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Read on,about that same God who became flesh. [14] And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Then ask yourself “ how did Jesus live and in what ways am I a reflection of Him?
Jesus loved sinners. The story of Jesus calling Matthew to be one of His disciples in Matthew 9:9-13 NIV intrigues me. Tax collectors in that culture were looked upon as the worst of the worst. They were disdained in society and even disowned by their families for the occupation they chose, yet, in [9:10]we find Jesus in Matthew’s house with “many tax collectors and sinners”. Some of the religious leaders were so appalled by this that they asked his disciples why He was doing such an objectionable thing.[12]. Listen to the reply of the Master. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13]But go and learn with this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Everywhere Jesus went he was doing good. He kept his purpose ever before Him John 9:4 “ I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work”.His greatest purpose was to seek, and to save the lost (Luke 19:10)He had a little in this world. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have their nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Everything Jesus did led him to his ultimate purpose, dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world, for our salvation and mental, emotional and physical healing. 1 Peter 3:18 NIV “ For Christ also suffered once for sins,the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive in the Spirit". Isaiah 53:5 NIV says this. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed”.
Forgiveness of sins is in His hands alone, (Matthew 9:6), but what He asks of us is, that we be His hands and feet, and His voice on this earth. (Matthew 28:19).It is our holy privilege to live as a reflection in this world, and to point people to Jesus, the only one who can save.
Lastly, Jesus was compassionate. In Matthew 9:35-36 we find Jesus“teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease.” Yet,”He was moved with compassion” when He saw them as sheep having no shepherd. In other words, He saw them as lost, aimless, defenseless and scattered. In Mark 8:1-2 Jesus had been teaching a multitude for three days, but they lingered still. Scripture records, “I have compassion for these people” because they had “nothing to eat”.
As we pray and study God's word this month, let us ask ourselves some hard but vital questions. How am I living as a reflection of Jesus? Who is someone with whom I can share His Word? Who can I show His love, not just in word, but in deed? Who can I encourage,be a friend to,pray with?
Being the image of Jesus could be in a smile, a hug, a genuine word of encouragement, a personal visit, a text or email, a card, just "being there", etc. It could also be sharing the Word of God with someone for the first time, or perhaps, looking into its pages again and showing someone the way “more perfectly”(Acts 18:26). To whom will you be a reflection of Jesus this month?
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