Master of Creation

Famous painters have often worked their likenesses into their creations. Italian Renaissance painters, for instance, often painted themselves into a scene—sometimes off to the side looking out toward the viewer. Michelangelo, in The Last Judgement, embedded a self-portrait within the skin of one of the painting’s subjects. In The School of Athens, Raphael painted himself and other artists of his time—such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo—into the work. And Caravaggio, in David with the Head of Goliath, painted his own features onto the gruesome head of the giant.

When Jesus chose to come to our planet to redeem His fallen children—those made “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27)—the all-powerful Creator of life literally became a part of His own creation. Leaving His omnipresent existence, He entered our dark, sin-ravaged world and gave Himself to save us. As the Scripture says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

In His ministry on earth, Jesus’ creative power was seen daily in the healing of the blind, the deaf, the lame, the lepers, and those possessed by demons. His life-giving ability was repeatedly demonstrated as He raised the dead (Mark 5:35–42; John 11:38–44). By joining with us, bringing His creative and restorative power to the human race, Jesus brought us hope.

But His sacrifice went even further, as “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). In this ultimate gift, the same Divine hands that created mankind from the dust of the earth were willingly nailed and scarred to create everlasting life for those He loves.

Jesus is the Master of creation. But His creative power is not limited to the Creation week at the beginning of our existence, or even to His time on this earth. It is ongoing, as Christ continuously recreates, within those hearts who are willing, His transforming and invincible image of love.

Apply It:

List three ways your life has been impacted and transformed by the creative power of Christ.

Dig Deeper:

Matthew 11:5; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Key Bible Texts

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 KJV)