“Looking at his disciples, he
said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
(Luke 6:20). “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your
comfort” (Luke 6:24).
Jesus came to earth with
a clear mission – to save sinners (1Timothy 1:15). He was to accomplish His
task by actually giving His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45). He began His mission
by preaching the immanence of God’s kingdom (Mark 1:15). The kingdom is here?
Where?…Where?
The kingdom of God was
there in the person of Jesus.
In the grand scheme of
things, Jesus came as “the second Adam” (Romans 5:14). The first Adam failed to
live as a person made in the image of God.
The “second” Adam
(Christ) came to live fully as the image of God. Paul wrote, “…He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). Another way of putting
it, is found the Book of Hebrews. “The
Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word….” (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus came on earth as
the bearer of God’s image…as the “first person” of God’s kingdom on earth.
Jesus is the first person
who lived on this earth fully and completely bearing God’s image. His ministry
(person, preaching, healing, and performing miracles) proved Him to be God’s
faithful representative on earth.
Jesus came to bring
God’s creation back to reflect the image in which it was created. He came to
bring you and me back to that great blessing: being bearers of God’s image on
earth.
Being made in the image
of God has nothing to do with how you look, but it has everything to do though
with how you think; with your attitude; with how you live your life on earth.
Blessed are God’s children here on earth now and even more when our Lord comes. Come Lord Jesus!