For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
The 104th PGA Championship begins today at Southern Hills CC in Tulsa. While 156 players make the field, all eyes have been on two names – Phil and Tiger. Bathed in continued controversy, Phil withdrew before the tournament week got under way. Now the world waits for Tiger to launch his first tee shot into the air signaling he’s a go. These two men’s names demand attention, and yet they are only men. They bear high achievements and deep failures.
We often ask young golfers, “Who is your favorite tour player? Who do you want to emulate?” Tiger’s son Charlie is a little clone of his dad. Rickie Fowler’s super fans embody his flare. Annika, Lexi, and others captivate little girls around the world.
Favoring a particular pro golfer, or any athlete, is fun and can easily slide into idolatry. Other people may have qualities we desire, but there is only one image we are to worship – God through the likeness of Jesus.
We talk often about the image of God. We are created in the image of God. Jesus walked the earth bearing the image of God. On the surface it makes logical sense. But if we look under the hood of the Text, we find divine enlightenment crafted by God himself. Let’s look.
God formed and breathed life into Adam on the sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:27). When Adam and Eve failed and had to abandon the garden, the image of God in them tarnished. God began his mission to return life to his created ones. Fast forward in the story and it was on the sixth day of the week that Jesus was crucified. Tarnished and accused, Jesus exchanged his righteousness for our brokenness. The sixth day – man’s creation and our redemption.
Do you see it? When we look at the cross, we are gazing at Jesus who took on our guilt and degradation. Jesus suffered abused, mockery, humiliation, and judgment so that all of humankind could once again bear the image of the risen God.
I hope this is shedding light on why we are to pursue and work out our salvation every day (Philippians 2:12). The cross…the empty tomb screams the depth of God’s love for us. Jonathan Cahn in The Book of Mysteries writes, “So make it your aim that your life would become a reflection of His life, your nature a reflection of His nature, your works a reflection of His works, and your heart a reflection of His heart. Allow Him to make you and form you into His image. For God bore your image in His death, that you, in your life, could bear the image of God.”
Amen and amen!
What is one way today that you can reflect the image and nature of God?
Prayer: Lord, help us to fix our eyes on you, the author and perfector of our faith. Stir in us an ache that draws us to you this morning to see your image in us.