I bought a towel that says “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, I am my mother after all.” My mother passed away last year, but her image lives on in each of her children…and in some of her grandchildren. Whether in physical appearance, behavior, or words, whenever we get together, at some point I think, “Wow. That is so Mom.”
At this time of year, we focus on Jesus as the baby in the manger. He limited himself to a human body, helpless and totally dependent on his parents for food, clothing, protection, and love. And like us, he grew up, experiencing all that the human life has to offer along with its joys and sorrows.
Jesus came to earth as the image of the invisible God, but mankind had become so hardened that they did not see the character of God. It had all been forgotten, set aside, lost in the day-to-day business of life.
When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus replied, “Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know me yet Philip? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say then, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9) Even the disciples struggled to see Jesus for who he really was.
Over the years, our distortions color our perceptions of God. Some of us see him as one who does not care, an indistinct being somewhere out there. Others see him as a cruel taskmaster, punishing us for all offenses. Some deny his existence altogether.
And yet, Jesus took on our form, our sinful and warped image, and reflected the image of a perfectly holy and merciful God. He had compassion on those who hurt. He grieved with those who were in despair. He healed all who came to him for help. He went out of his way to talk to the unlovely. He had courage to challenge the self-righteous. And finally, revealing the enormity of God’s love for us, he embraced our sins and took them to the cross, dying in our place.
Jesus came as the reflection of God, compassionate, caring, holy and righteous. He died the reflection of man, self-serving, corrupt and sinful.
Though evil in our world distorts our perceptions, through Jesus Christ, we can not only come to know the true God, we too can reflect the image of God to a lost and distorted world. We can care for those around us. We can offer hope for those in despair. We can share God’s love, because Jesus demonstrated his love for us on the cross.
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. John 1:14
TRICIA LATHROP 