Not in Our Image, But in His

April 20, 2025

Years ago, when I was a manager at Captain D’s, I had a very eager, newly hired assistant manager. Previously, he was a manager at Krystal, and I never did really get the scoop as to why he left Krystal and jumped ship to Captain D’s (see what I did there…ship…Captain D’s). This young man was a good worker, and I was blessed to have him as part of my team. However, he did have one somewhat annoying habit. Quite often, he would say something along the lines of “when I was at Krystal, we did it this way or that way.” “Krystal this and Krystal that.” Don’t get me wrong. I was not above learning how other restaurant concepts operated; in fact, I learned some great tips from employees who brought knowledge from their previous employers. But when every other word out of your mouth is about how great your previous employer was, it begs the question: if your previous job was that spectacular, why did you leave? I suppose it has something to do with our comfort level. For many of us, we want to make our present situation as close to our former situation as we can. We were comfortable there, and we want to be just as comfortable in our new situation, so we try to diminish the learning curve by maneuvering our present situation until the comfort level tips in our favor. We do this all the time. I have a closet full of clothes, but I generally wear only a few different shirts and pants. When I go through my closet, I sometimes find clothes I forgot I had because I never wear them. I wear the same ones over and over because I like how they fit, or I like how I look in them. As we bring this thought into the spiritual realm, I have seen a lot of people try to create a Jesus in their own image. Most Americans are familiar with a Caucasian Jesus with blonde/brown hair and blue eyes. I have seen pictures of a black, Asian, and Native American Jesus. The fact is, Jesus was most likely a Middle Eastern man with black hair and dark eyes. Why do I say that? Turns out, the Jesus who walked this earth as a man walked it as a Middle Eastern man. Many people are drawn to the Jesus who feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and stands up for social justice. While Jesus did all of these things, this is not all He did. While Jesus was very exclusive in a lot of things, He was very inclusive in others. For example, when He chose His twelve Apostles, He chose men from various lifestyles. He chose at least four fishermen, a pro-Rome tax collector, and an anti-Rome zealot. Jesus wasn’t as concerned with their occupations as He was with their hearts. Jesus showed compassion for the woman caught in adultery. He looked over Jerusalem and wept over their spiritual condition. People are drawn to that Jesus. However, this same Jesus said in John 14:9 that the only way to get to the Father is by Him. He is the only way. Jesus Himself said He was not just one of many ways to get to God, He was the only way. People tend not to like that Jesus as much. While we as Christ-followers should do our best to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus while we are walking this earth, everyone needs to understand that the first time Jesus came to earth, He came as a suffering Servant who was crucified to pay our sin debt. When Jesus comes back the second time, He is coming back to take over! He is coming back as Judge, and scripture tells us when He does come back to judge (and to rule), He will do so with an iron (firm) fist. When you finish reading this, I encourage you to go to the first chapter of Revelation and see what Jesus looks like right now. Then read chapters two and three of the same book to find out one of many things Jesus is doing right now. Let’s quit making a Jesus in our own image and bow down and submit to the Jesus of the Bible. Only then will we be able to humble ourselves enough for God to begin to shape us into His image. Be blessed and be a blessing . . . Bro. Andy