Man Is a Person

MEMORY VERSE: “So God created man in his own Image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” —Genesis 1:27

GENESIS 1:26,27; MATTHEW 12:9-14; HEBREWS 2:5-9

ON THE earth God’s creative work came to its crowning glory in the creation of man. Only of man is it said that he was made in God’s own image. Of course, this likeness is not in outward appearance, but in the fact that man has intelligence, is able to make rational choices, and is capable of making moral distinctions. Since man is the creation of God, and not a product of evolution, no one can properly think lightly of his own life, or hold the life of another cheaply or in contempt.

In healing a man on the sabbath day who had a withered hand, Jesus demonstrated that a man is of more importance than a lower animal or a beast. The Pharisees appeared to acknowledge that to rescue a sheep from a pit on the sabbath day would not be breaking the sabbath, and Jesus simply demonstrated to them that healing a man was in the same category of doing good, and therefore lawful. But the Pharisees, in their prejudice and blindness, could not see it, and tried to find a way to destroy the Master.

Man, created in the image of God, was also given a dominion. David explains this, saying concerning man, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.”—Ps. 8:4-8

Paul quotes from this passage in Hebrews 2:5-9, and explains that we do not yet see all things put under man. The reason for this is that man transgressed divine law and thereby forfeited his dominion over the earth, and lost also the privilege of continuing to live. He was forewarned that if he disobeyed he would die.

But David raises the question, “What is man that thou art mindful of him?” (Ps. 8:4) Even though man transgressed divine law, the Creator was still mindful of him, and in his love provided a means of escape from death, and a means also whereby he could re-inherit his lost dominion. That provision was Christ—“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16

Thus it is that when Paul observed, “We see not yet all things put under” man, he added, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”—Heb. 2:9

Note how Paul emphasizes that Jesus in his first visit to earth was made “a little lower than the angels,” even as Adam was thus created. This meant that his death was a corresponding price for Adam. Paul uses the word “ransom,” explaining that Jesus gave himself “a ransom for all, to be testified [made known] in due time.”—I Tim. 2:3-5

And so it is, as explained by Paul, that at the present time we do not see all things put under man. Instead, we see him to be a dying creature, not capable of properly ruling himself. We do see, however, a preparation for his restoration to his original status in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God’s original plan that man should be king of earth, and live forever as a perfect human still stands, and while man lost his dominion and his life, through Christ he is to experience restoration or as Peter stated it, “restitution.”—Acts 3:19-21

This thought is further emphasized in Jesus’ parable of “The Sheep and the Goats.” In this parable those who qualify for life during the world’s future thousand-year day of judgment are represented as “sheep.” (Acts 17:30,31) To these symbolic sheep the invitation is extended, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 25:33,34) This means that the time will come when we will see all things put under man, for the love of God through Christ will have expressed itself in the redemption and restoration of that which was lost, life and dominion.

QUESTIONS

In what sense was man created in the image of God?

How did Jesus emphasize the importance of human health and life?

Quote David’s explanation of man’s original dominion.

Explain the relationship of Jesus to man’s redemption and restoration to life and dominion.

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