Whose Image Do You Bear?

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 has always been thrown around as a verse seemingly about our physical appearance. While I could give loads of examples, I will simply cut to the chase–that phrase “image of God” has nothing to do with any physical characteristic. In the Ancient Near East world, it was a phrase associated with the king. Only Pharaoh could claim to be made in the image of God. This is what makes the creation account in Genesis 1 so audacious. All of humanity was created in the image of God. No matter your gender, race, nationality, creed, nothing.

Certainly, this theme plays out throughout the book of Genesis, but it comes to an intense face off at the opening of Exodus. Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a people to control and rule over in tyranny. We see the enslaved Israelites crying out because of their oppression and Pharaoh’s response is to make it worse. He enslaves, oppresses, murders, and mocks them. Pharaoh is depicted much like the snake in the garden of Eden. He does not bring life, rather he delights in death. He would much rather build a system that benefits only himself than care for the health and well-being of others.

Yet, here is Yahweh’s response: “During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” (Exodus 2:23-25)

Perhaps you know where the story goes, but Yahweh was moved to action. He had compassion on them and in His loyal love, He rescued them. That’s the kind of God we have. That’s the God whose image you bear. We have a God who’s in the business of crushing snakes. And yes, be not mistaken, there is one who is THE image of God and crushed a serpent far worse than Pharaoh, for Christ did destroy even death itself. And I rejoice in Christ’s victory and boast in it gladly, but wait—there’s more!

Christ’s all-powerful work and perfect reflection as the King of kings does not remove the crown from your head. Because Christ is the all-availing sacrifice does not negate your status of being made in the image of God. Check out this verse from Romans 16:20, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Wait a second, I thought Jesus was the only foot who stomped?! Does God really intend to use us too?! John and Mary Meachum knew that. At this point, do yourself a favor and look up the story of these incredible people and the Floating Freedom School they set up on the Mississippi River. I cannot do it justice in this short of a space, but in short, at the start of the 19th century in Kentucky, John’s enslaver allowed him to work and earn for himself. He was able, by permission, to purchase his own freedom. After arriving in St. Louis, MO in 1815 with only $3 in his pocket, he immediately set out to increase the free black population, starting with his wife Mary. Together, they helped hundreds of people by working around unjust laws. John Meachum co-founded the first black church in the city, as well as the Floating Freedom School.

My son’s response to that story was, “He cared about people that much because God loves people that much.” Rev. John and Mary Meachum certainly knew who was THE image of God and they believed that Jesus valued them and wanted to use them as His image bearers to bring tangible freedom to hundreds of people. They understood that their spiritual chains were broken by the blood of Jesus, but didn’t want earthly chains for any of their fellow image bearers of God.

We all bear the image of a God who hears people crying out, sees them in their suffering, remembers His promises and is moved to action. In our household, we talk a lot about “Whose image are you bearing?” because it is easy to be Pharaoh. Oh, as a teacher, I can easily be a tyrant (you know it too). It is easy to care only about yourself and hoard your power, time, possessions, and influence. We don’t always do it well, but our God has decided to use us and so rather than be the snake, I pray for God to crush the snake even if he chooses to use my foot. And I promise you that when the snakes of despair, division, greed, enmity, discrimination, antipathy, jealousy, etc are crushed in your classroom, you get to point your students and families to the One True Image of God–Jesus Christ!

We pray:

Yahweh, help us always to see, know, experience and feel the foot of your Son who crushes the snake of death and evil. Use this summer to tune our ears to listen to the cries of your hurting children and stir in our hearts Your compassion so that as we begin next school year, others might see the God whose image we bear.

In Christ’s name we pray,

Amen

Sarah Salzberg - Orange Lutheran High School, Orange , CA