"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27
Isaiah Thomas, a former professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons, once talked in an interview about the rough neighborhood he grew up in as a child. Gang violence was a huge problem in his community. One of the things he mentioned is that gang members would leave a nickel on the foreheads of people they killed. Leaving that nickel meant the victim's life was worth five cents.
Life is not viewed as sacred or special by many in today's world. Not at all. It's viewed as cheap and expendable. However, when I read the Bible, I see that life is actually the exact opposite of that. In reality, every human life has immense value and is sacred.
In the first chapter of Genesis, God creates the heavens and the earth. Then He fills the heavens and the earth with all sorts of spectacular sights, plants, and animals. Finally, it is time for something extra special : human life.
God makes a man. Then, He makes a woman. And He brings them together.
Let's just reflect for a moment on this scripture...
[1] Human life is sacred because it is a creation of God. The value of men, women, boys, and girls is sky high because we all are the result of God's workmanship. He made us and put us here; therefore, we are valuable. Contrary to the gang members I mentioned earlier, we are worth much, much more than a nickel. (Wow, THAT may be the understatement of the millennium. Ha! Ha!) We are worth a great deal because we were fashioned by an amazing Creator.
[2] Human life is sacred because it is fashioned with a resemblance to God. God made us "in His own image." In other words, we were made in some ways that are a reflection of Him. On a much smaller scale than God, we were equipped with the capacity to be creative, show love, extend forgiveness, and lead others. Don't get me wrong. We are not gods. And we are not equal to God. Not at all. But we are wired by Him in some neat ways to resemble Him.
[3] Human life is sacred, regardless of gender. Notice that God made man in His own image, and woman in His own image. That's pretty cool, if you ask me! There are certain things about men that resemble God, and there are certain things about women that resemble God. Both genders are valuable and unique because both genders highlight certain qualities of God's greatness. Neither gender is superior to the other. Men matter and women matter.
[4] Human life is sacred because it is given purpose by God. When He fashioned the man and the woman, He did not throw them into the garden without anything to do. He did not tell them, "Ok, y'all just need to entertain yourselves and look for ways to stay busy!" (I know God doesn't say "y'all", but it just sounded good to me!) The Creator gave the creation purpose. In Genesis 1:26, He assigned the duty or ruling over the animals. In Genesis 1:28, He assigned the duty of reproducing and filling the planet with more people. Right from the beginning, God gave men and women things to do. He gave them (and us today) purpose. A reason to get up every morning and to live every day.
That's just four reasons human life is worth a great deal! And that's another reason why the creation story of Genesis is so special. Our worth as human beings is found in knowing that we are here because God put us here.
God views life is sacred. So should we. May we look at people today and realize that all of them are precious because they are the handiwork of the one, true, living God!!
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