Uniting Heaven and Earth
Christ in Philippians and Colossians
Lesson 8 - Sunday
Image of the Invisible God
The Bible repeatedly uses the word “image” to describe humanity’s relationship to God, but it also uses the term in a far deeper and more complete way when describing Jesus Christ. Understanding these different uses helps us see both our created purpose and Christ’s unmatched role in revealing God to humanity.
In Genesis 1:26–27, God declares, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Humanity was created to reflect God’s character—His moral nature, ability to love, reason, create, and exercise stewardship over the earth. Being made in God’s image does not mean that humans physically resemble God; rather, we were designed to mirror His character and represent Him in the world. However, Genesis 5:3 adds an important layer by stating that Adam fathered a son “in his own likeness, after his image.” By this time, sin had already entered the world. This suggests that humanity, while still bearing God’s image, now also reflects a fallen nature. The image of God in us is not erased but distorted.
The New Testament expands this idea further. In 1 Corinthians 15:49, Paul contrasts our present earthly existence with our future hope: “As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” Here, the image points to transformation. Believers currently live with the weaknesses of fallen humanity, but through Christ, they will ultimately reflect His glorified nature. Likewise, 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes an ongoing spiritual transformation, explaining that as we behold Christ, we are changed “into the same image from glory to glory.” In this passage, the image is dynamic, describing a gradual restoration of God’s character in believers through the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Hebrews 10:1 uses the word “image” in a different way. It explains that the Old Testament sacrificial system was only “a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things.” Here, “image” refers to the true and complete reality, contrasting with symbols or shadows that merely pointed forward to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
While these passages reveal profound truths about humanity and redemption, they differ significantly from how Scripture describes Jesus as the image of God. Humanity reflects God imperfectly and progressively. Jesus, however, perfectly and completely reveals Him.
Jesus Himself emphasized this unique relationship. In Matthew 11:27, He declares, “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” This statement shows that Jesus does not merely teach about God; He uniquely knows and reveals Him because He shares the same divine nature.
The Gospel of John powerfully confirms this truth. John 1:1–2 proclaims that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus existed from eternity, fully divine and distinct within the Godhead. Then, in John 1:14, we are told that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” God did not send a distant representative; He came personally into human history. John 1:18 further explains that no one has seen God fully, but Jesus, who is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known. Jesus is not merely similar to God—He is the perfect, visible revelation of the invisible God.
This truth carries enormous significance when we consider Christ’s sacrifice. If Jesus were anything less than God Himself, it would mean that God sent a created being to suffer and die in humanity’s place. Such a sacrifice would lack the infinite value necessary to fully address the weight of sin. Only God possesses the eternal worth and authority to provide complete redemption. When God Himself, in the person of Christ, took on human flesh and died for us, it demonstrated the depth of divine love and justice. The cross reveals that God did not remain distant from human suffering but entered into it personally to rescue humanity.
Understanding Jesus as the image of the invisible God also transforms how we view our spiritual journey. While humanity was originally created to reflect God, sin shattered that reflection. Through Christ, however, the image is being restored. As believers behold Christ’s character, they are gradually transformed into His likeness. The Christian life is not simply about behavior modification but about being remade into the image of the One who perfectly reveals the Father.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image and for not abandoning us when sin distorted that image. Thank You for sending Jesus, the perfect image of the invisible God, to reveal Your love, truth, and mercy. Help us to fix our eyes on Christ so that our lives may be transformed into His likeness. Restore Your character in us day by day, and help us reflect Your love to those around us. We praise You for the sacrifice of Jesus and for the hope of complete restoration through Him. In His holy name, Amen.
More on Lesson 8: The Preeminence of Christ
This Quarter's Sabbath School Lessons Here: Christ in Philippians and Colossians