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人日

Yesterday was 人日, the 7th day of Chinese New Year. According to Chinese customs, this was the day humans were created. In modern times it is common to see people greet everyone "Happy birthday" on 人日.

But what exactly is 人? This is probably the first Chinese character that everyone learns.

Scripture tells us:

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:27)

This has tremendous implications. Man was taken from dust and given the breath of life. He or she bears the divine image of the God of the Universe.

This simple verse means at least a few things for us:
(1) Because humans are made in His image, everyone bears the image of God. This includes people we don't like, or don't get along with. It includes people from a different race. It includes the disabled whom the world considers valueless. It means we should treat everyone by remembering they are a fellow image bearer.

(2) In our lives however, due to our sin, we have failed to properly bear His image. Only one person bore the image perfectly and that is of course Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).

(3) The Roman coin is to be given back to Caesar because it bore Caesar's image. What then is it that bear God's image which ought to be given back to Him? It is us. If we have yet to offer ourselves back to Him, let's ask how is it we are willing to give Caesar what is his but not willing to give ourselves back to Him.

If you have read until this far, happy belated 人日!

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