He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
The Greek word for “image” is eikon, from which the English word “icon” derives. It means, “copy” or “likeness.” Jesus Christ is the perfect image — the exact likeness —of God and is in the very form of God (Philippians 2:6) and has been so from all eternity. So why didn’t the Israelites see Him clearly? The Old Testament had given the Jewish people plenty of information to prepare them for the Messiah’s arrival, the reason for their disconnect can be a caution for us all. First off, clearly this problem impacted the ability of the religious leaders of the first century so that they didn’t recognize that Jesus was their Messiah. Despite the unchanging teachings of Moses and the prophets, they slowly added a complicated oral tradition to what the Scriptures actually said. Many of these additions to the Law seemed, on the surface, to honor the Scriptures, but all too often the changes focused on the issues of outward conformity rather than on the heart and spirit of the Law. End result was the religious leaders found ways to excuse their own wrong motives by focusing on ritual rather than Spirit revealed truth. Many people today, like the religious leaders of Jesus day, assume that they can be right with God on their own terms, and by their own strength and self-righteousness. There is a principle of closeness to God, that enables us to see and be aware of our own sin, weakness, and unworthiness, that comes with the closer we are to God. However, the further we are from God, the more clearly we see the sin, weakness, and unworthiness in others. This is where the religious leaders were during Jesus day, and where many are at today, who confess themselves to be Christians.
Dear friend, Let the Lord lead you this day in furthering your commitment to Him, and in the studying of His Word. It is how we discern truth from error, and will help us not walk in the strength of our flesh, but rather in the power of God.
May the Lord bless your walk today!
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you have introduced to your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for beginners. May you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.