Over the past few weeks, we’ve argued that all the beauty we see in this world is a reflection of the beauty of the One who created it. Our great God is the source of all beauty, and all beautiful things merely reflect his great beauty like the moon reflects the great light of the sun.
With this in mind, it stands to reason that beautiful things would grow increasingly more beautiful as they more accurately reflect the greatness, glory, and majesty of God. Not only is this true of each one of God’s people as they grow in sanctification and thereby reflect more of his goodness and beauty, but, according to Scripture, it is never more true than in the person and work of Jesus Christ himself.
The New Testament tells us that nothing and no one has ever provided a sharper or clearer reflection of God than Jesus. In the book of Colossians, Paul tells us that Jesus is “is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15a) and also that “in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col 1:19). In the introduction to the book of John, the apostle writes, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18). Later in the book, John would recount Jesus’ own words to his disciples when he said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9b).
No one reflects the beauty of God more clearly than Jesus. And yet, so much of Jesus’ life doesn’t seem to be beautiful at first glance. His birth in an animal feeding trough most likely didn’t look (or smell!) anything like something we would consider beautiful. Likewise, the absolute horror of his execution on a Roman cross would have looked anything but beautiful to all those who had eyes to see it. And yet, through all of these seemingly un-beautiful situations, we see the greatness, glory, and majesty of God on full display as the plan of salvation prepared from eternity past was finally brought to fruition by our humble, loving, and sacrificial saviour who bore the wrath of God on our behalf. More than all the beauty of this world, there is nothing more beautiful than our beautiful Saviour who loved us and gave himself for us.
And so, as we consider the death and burial of our beautiful Saviour this Good Friday, may we all stop and reflect on the remarkable beauty that was on display in even the ugliest, darkest, and saddest moment in human history. And as we consider the greatness and glory of our resurrected Saviour on Easter Sunday, may we be struck in new and fresh ways by his greatness, majesty, and beauty, and may we long for the day when he returns to restore—and even increase—all the beauty that was lost and tainted by the curse of sin.
He is risen indeed!
All the best,
Luke Burrow
