Reproductive cloning uses cell nuclear transfer to create animals that are genetically identical. In science fiction, you step into a chamber and an exact duplicate of you is produced. Neither is reality. Reproductive cloning does not actually produce a genetic equal, and the chamber is, well, science fiction. There are no two persons who share the exact same nature. Except when it comes to the triune God. In which case, it is three persons sharing the exact same nature.
The second wonderful phrase in Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is "the exact imprint of [God’s] nature." Martin Vincent explains:
Here the essential being of God is conceived as setting its distinctive stamp upon Christ, coming into definite and characteristic expression in His Person, so that the Son bears the exact impression of the divine nature and character.
Consider the explanation of William Hendricksen.
A die that stamps an image on a coin bears certain characteristics. When the die produces a coin, the coin is an exact duplicate of the die. Whatever was characteristic of the die is now characteristic of the coin. The nature of the coin is exactly the same as the nature of the die. Nevertheless, even though an imprint is the same as the stamp that makes the impression, both exist separately.
The illustration of this verse helps us think in terms we can understand. A coin is an exact replication or reproduction of the die it came from. Jesus is an exact representation of God. All that God is in His nature, Jesus is. When you look at Jesus, you are looking at the radiance of the glory of God.
Paul states that Jesus "is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)." "Image" implies representation and manifestation. Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God. In other words, we can see exactly what God is like in all His nature by looking at Jesus. Look at Jesus and you're looking at God.
God’s eternal plan is amazing! He decided to create a being in His image (man) that would fall and be redeemed. But redemption was not just a means to the end of restoring man from the Fall. The whole process of this redemption was planned in eternity past to be a brilliant display of the character, the glory of God.
In many ways, it is difficult for us to comprehend the character of God. It is difficult for us to understand what the glory of God looks like in the context of humanity and life on earth. The incarnation was an act of God putting the glory of His nature on display in the context of His creation. The Incarnation helps us see what the glory of God looks like in every day human existence.
Redemption came as God Himself in the second person of the triune God stepped down into creation. He did this in such a way that the glory of God was put on display for man to see. The display of the glory of God was the purpose of the incarnation which led to the fulfillment of the purpose of redemption, the honor and worship of the glory of God. It’s all about the glory of God from beginning to end.
The purpose of the incarnation was being realized long before Jesus went to the Cross. God’s glory was being brilliantly displayed in His creation.
God spoke in Jesus. What did He speak? The story of His glory!
Jesus ULTIMATE purpose in coming to earth was not simply to provide for man’s salvation from hell. Jesus came first and foremost to put the glory of God on display in magnificent brilliance.
Jesus’ coming was God centered, not man centered.
Soli Deo Gloria
Next: Jesus Declares His-Story
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