God gave a unique status amongst His creation. In fact, we are made in His image and created with a divine purpose. “Genesis” comes from the Greek word meaning origin. It is an ancient and holy text all about beginnings and generations. Think of Genesis as the front end of God’s grand narrative. It is the opening act of the incredible story of creation, sin, and redemption that still impacts every part of our lives today.
We’re talking all things identity, and this week is laying some of the biblical groundwork. In Genesis 1, verses 26 and 27, God creates humanity, which is what we're looking at today. “Made In His Image” “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27
Today, we’re continuing to think about where our identity comes from. In 1979, a 6-foot-tall statue of a bearded man was unearthed at the site of Tell Fakhariyeh in Syria. With a long, wrapped garment, the statue held his hands tightly clasped at his waist. He was clearly royalty. The statue dated from the 9th-century BC and depicted a king, a member of the Assyrian governing class. However, there’s a captivating twist. The statue bears a bilingual inscription. Within the Aramaic carving, two words stand out. The statue describes itself as being an “image” and “likeness” of the original ruler, the very same words used in today’s passage to describe our relationship to God. The statue was, in its own words, made in the king’s image. It was purposefully carved to represent and reflect the royal ruler who commissioned it—a tangible extension of his rule and domain. It’s a fascinating slice of ancient context.
This statue can help us to visualize what Genesis means when it declares that we are made in God’s image. And this is really important. Being a royal image-bearer is a fundamental piece of our identity puzzle. It’s what makes us unique among God’s creation—giving us our value, dignity, and worth. When the Bible says we’re created in the image of God, it is describing humanity in the same terms as the regal ancient statue. We are a tangible representation and reflection of the One who created us. We carry His royal imprint; we bear His holy essence. However, that’s where the statue analogy hits its ceiling. Because we are not a flawed human-made idol like the stone carving. Instead, we are living, breathing children of God, created by the Master of the Heavens. In fact, God Himself has breathed His abundant life into you.
This breathtaking reality is your truth for today. You are a created masterpiece. You are made in the image of God Himself. Let’s explore what this means: You carry His creativity. Within you lies the echo of your Creator's artistry, the spark of an imagination capable of shaping worlds, cultures and lives for His glory. If you’re made in God’s image, then you are wired for connection. Just as the Father, Son and Spirit exist in loving community with one another, so you too are crafted in the image of overflowing Love. You were born to give and receive love. You’re deserving of it! You are of infinite value. Similar to how a diamond's value is based on its inherent beauty and rarity rather than its size, so is your value. Your existence as a creation of God is what defines you, not your productivity, status, or physical appearance. You are God’s magnum opus—His image and likeness. Hold onto this wonderful knowledge today.
To close, let’s pray. Dear God, I’m amazed as I think about being made in your image. You have created meas valuable, full of worth and deserving of love. Help me to represent and reflect you well as I go from here. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I can be your ambassador. Teach me how to live in a way that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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