Imago Dei

I can’t take credit for the original thought, but it did inspire me to consider what it truly means to be image bearers of God and followers of Jesus.

I was reading through a very familiar passage in Acts 8 with a group of colleagues this past week.

The man that Phillip runs to, teaches about God’s Word and then baptizes in a nearby river is “…the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia.”

Here comes this foreigner, all the way from Africa, into Jerusalem, where he likely could not even have worshipped in the court of the Gentiles. He’s likely already lived a very lonely life, but yet he is seeking something more.

Just a few weeks ago we remembered the wisemen visiting the baby Jesus with Epiphany. These “foreigners” who studied the sciences, “saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” They were seekers.

I think also of Bartimaeus the blind man who shouted at Jesus, and was healed because of his faith; the lepers, isolated from society, yet seen and loved by Jesus. And the bleeding woman, who had so much faith she just needed to touch Jesus’ robe.

Can I relate to any of these individuals? And, how would I treat them?

We like to think we are the Good Samaritan, but more than likely we are the priest and Levite, who passed right by their neighbor in need, because of our indifference, pride or what other sinful behavior kept us from being like Jesus.

The creation of human kind wasn’t just good, it was very good. To be made in God’s image is quite the privilege and responsibility. We fail miserably over and over again, and God’s grace through the blood of Jesus Christ lifts us up out of our own brokenness to be His hands and feet where he has planted us.

And since I don’t believe much in coincidence, there’s probably something to the idea that being an image bearer of God means we are:

DIVERSE: the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety especially : the inclusion of people of different races, cultures, etc. in a group or organization

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm 139:13-14

EQUITABLE: marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:26-29

INCLUDED/INCLUSION: the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)

This righteousness is given through faith in^[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24

• My prayer today is that God’s Word, and the blessings that come with diversity, equity and inclusion, will not be weaponized against our neighbors.

• My prayer today is for the spiritual leaders of churches across the globe, as they provide guidance that only helps us serve our neighbors (image bearers), regardless of their status in the eyes of an earthly government.

• My prayer today is for you to know that we are not called to decide how to treat our neighbor, but that Jesus makes it pretty clear that we are called to love, because He has taken care of the rest.

^“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace
will be with you.” - 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV