Last month, I discussed my brief stint as “Saint Carmen.” I aimed to emulate my Grandma, whom we affectionately called Saint Irene. I’ve always aspired to be like her. She embodied qualities reminiscent of Jesus. As C.S. Lewis would say, she was “a little Christ.” However, whether we seek to become more like Christ or to guide others in spiritual formation, we first need to grasp what it truly means to resemble someone. Specifically, what does it mean to look like Christ?
Genetics can be fascinating. I have a new grandson, and for the past three months of his life, we have debated whom he resembles. One day, he looks so much like his mom and her family, especially her dad. The next day, we see traits of my own son and our family. In reality, he is a unique combination of his inherited genes—a one-of-a-kind, adorable little champ. He’s a bit of his mom, a bit of his dad, and all of those who came before.
We are each made in the image of our Father.
God created us all in His image:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
So God created man in his own image,
In the image of God he created him;
male and female, he created them.Genesis 1:26-27
Scripture reiterates this concept multiple times, with the first instance appearing in Genesis 5:1:
This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.[1]
God created Adam in His own likeness. Moreover, Adam was then able to father a son who was also created in the likeness or image of God. It’s quite a thought when you stop and consider!
Old Testament Bible scholar John Walton discusses what we’ve observed with our son and grandson.
While a baby may be affirmed to be in the image of its father, few can recognize that image.
A baby mostly looks like a baby and mostly acts like a baby. He is a far cry from looking like a man, from even looking much like his father. However, Walton states that as a son matures, he will increasingly reflect the image of his father:
Based on the inherent image and the relationship with the father, the image grows more recognizable as the child matures. This does not essentially take place in a physical way, but rather in the way the child mirrors the attitudes, expressions, and character traits of his or her father.[2]
We are physical beings with physical attributes. However, this does not imply that we are physical representations of God, for God is Spirit.[3] Instead, our physical manifestation reflects divine essence, allowing us to embody the attributes of God. [4] Essence is defined as the fundamental, authentic, and unchanging nature of a thing. In other words, to look like Christ means to share in His nature.
My heart melts as I write this. I just received a video of my little grandson’s first giggles. As a baby, my son had an amazing belly laugh. It’s already evident to me that as our little champ grows, he resembles his father’s essence more and more.
The image of God is most apparent in Jesus Himself.
Paul states:
He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:15
Jesus is a physical representative of God rather than simply a representation of what God looks like. Consequently, he embodies the essence of God, reflects His attributes, and acts on His behalf.[5]
Philip wanted to see God the Father and exclaimed to Jesus, “Show us the Father!” Jesus responded bluntly:
“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
John 14:9
My son and his wife input our little grandson’s photo into AI to see what he might look like in a year or so. If Philip lived today, he might input a picture of Jesus into AI and ask it to show him what His Father looks like. Just in case you’re wondering, they tried inputting the exact same photo of my grandson three times, and each time the imagined likeness looked completely different. AI seems clueless about what our little champ will look like in the future. Jesus knew that Philip was clueless as well.
He continues:
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”
John 14:10
All of this provides insight into spiritual formation, the art of looking like Christ.
In spirit, Jesus embodied the essence of His Father. In heart, mind, and mission, they were as one. Likewise, we ought to share this essence and be one with the Father and Jesus.
Jesus prayed for that. As Jesus’s death on the cross was imminent, He prayed the most stunning prayer for His disciples, including those of us who would come later. This prayer melts my heart:
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”
John 17:11
Isn’t that mind-blowing? Jesus and the Father want us to be one with them. Their heart’s desire is for us to reflect the essence of God as well. To be clear, God created us in His likeness, but that image was fractured in the fall. The mirror shattered, and our resemblance to God was broken. God remained faithful. He didn’t give up. Through Jesus’s work on the cross, we can be restored and grow in our Father’s characteristics—His love, joy, peace, patience, steadfast love, and faithfulness.
But how? How can we be shaped to look like Christ?
Spiritual formation.
Physically, I bear no resemblance to my grandmother. If I place photos of us side by side, I don’t think anyone would notice a resemblance. However, I like to believe there are similarities in essence, especially regarding our sensitivity to God and His heart. I hope I have grown in her way of love, grace, and justice.
Likewise, we should grow to embody the essence of our Heavenly Father—His unchanging nature of love.
Today, do I resemble my Father? Am I one with Him in grace, mercy, and forgiveness?
Do I look like Jesus? Am I sharing a oneness with His heart of compassion for others everywhere? Am I quick to judge or quick to extend grace? Do I berate or do I feast with sinners?
Would the people I live with say, “Oh, yes! She bears the image of Jesus? Our home smells like the essence of Jesus because she loves like He loves.”
As C.S. Lewis stated:
Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.[6]
Let’s pray to look like Christ:
Father God, You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in steadfast love and faithfulness. You’ve demonstrated Your love to me through Jesus. How humbling it is that You would desire to be one with me, a sinner. Thank You for this privilege. Please help me, help us, to reflect honestly on our likeness to You. Through Your Spirit, help us to grow in Your essence, Your heart, Your ways, and become little Christs who bring glory to Your Name.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 5:1.
[2] John H. Walton, Genesis, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 131.
[3] Allen P. Ross, Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998), 112.
[4] John H. Walton, Genesis, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 131.
[5] John H. Walton, Genesis, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 131.
[6] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p.166.
