Finally, humanity is back!

Reflecting on Luke 10:22-24

“All things have been committed to me by my Father.” (Luke 10:22)

Has there ever been any other human that could have said this?
Jesus does not say this because He is God; God already has all things!
This is the Son of Man, the coming human Messiah (Genesis 3:15, Daniel 7:13-14).
The only other humans that could have said this were Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-28).

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” (Psalm 8:4-6)

This is kingdom language: this world under God-like human rulers (image of God).
Jesus’s use of Father/Son imagery is also ‘image of God’ language.
To be made in the image of, is to be the son or daughter of.

“When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. (Genesis 5:1-3)

Only Jesus the Son shows us Who God the Father really is, what God is really like.
And only Jesus the Son is known and honoured by God as a truly God-like human.

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'” (Matthew 3:17)

If we want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.
If we want to know what it means to be fully human, look at Jesus.
Jesus is the fully God-like human Who is in charge of this world.
As a result, we are seeing signs of ‘very goodness’ returning to the world.
To rule is NOT to be the boss, to make the rules, to control everything.
It is to live, to love and to lead like God, with God-like character.

Wherever this happens, we see God’s kingdom shining through.
And honestly, this is what we all long to see (not just prophets and kings).
Imagine our world if everyone lived with God-like character?
The burdened and oppressed would be healed, helped, loved, restored.
The poor and needy would be cared for, everyone would share in the blessing!
There would be great joy among the people, and Satan would be dethroned.

Jesus has revealed this God to us, and we see God’s goodness in action in Jesus.
Jesus authorizes us as His disciples to rule like Him, in a God-like way.
Which means, God has committed all things to us as well.
Now in Jesus, we can say these words too!
But NOT in a sinful, selfish, human-like way (being boss, bossy, controlling).
We reign with Jesus when we serve like Jesus.
We overcome Satan and the curse when we love and lead like Jesus.
We help God’s kingdom to come on earth when we pursue God’s will on earth.

This is what it means to know God and Jesus as they truly are.
What a comfort to know God this way, to experience God’s goodness personally.
But the conviction follows that this is God’s will for me, for us as well.
This is what it means to be fully human, to reflect God and Jesus.
We have seen it, we have experienced it… do we believe it?
We are blessed to see and know God and Jesus this way.
Am I – are we – committed to live and love and lead like this?
We have been blessed to be a blessing, to share the ‘very goodness’ of Jesus.
Let’s live it out, that more people may experience God’s kingdom on earth!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the character of God is clearly seen in You. So why do we as christians fail to reflect Your character toward others. May the people who meet me today experience Your 'very goodness', Your God-like gracious love. Help me to KNOW and to SHOW Your love, and thereby dethrone the devil and the curse.