The Image

Written by Pastor Kyle Jones

When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. (Genesis 5:3)

This verse subtly yet profoundly shifts the narrative of humanity’s origin and destiny. In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, reflecting His glory, righteousness, and holiness. However, after the fall, the image of God in humanity became tarnished by sin. When Adam fathered Seth “in his own likeness,” it was not merely the image of God that Seth bore, but also the marred and broken image of fallen humanity. The sin that entered the world through Adam now stained every generation, spreading like a shadow over all of creation.

This verse captures the bleak reality of human existence post-Eden: though made to reflect the glory of God, every human is now born with a nature bent towards sin. The image of God in us is still present, but it is distorted, like a shattered mirror that can no longer perfectly reflect its original design. Instead of reflecting God’s holiness, we often mirror selfishness, pride, and rebellion. Yet, even in this grim picture, there is a glimmer of hope. The lineage of Adam, marked by sin, also becomes the line through which God’s promise of redemption unfolds.

Through Seth, the line of the faithful continues, eventually leading to Jesus Christ, the true image of God who came to restore what was lost. In Colossians 1:15, Christ is described as “the image of the invisible God,” the perfect representation of God’s nature and character. Where Adam failed, Christ succeeded. He lived a sinless life, perfectly reflecting God’s image in every thought, word, and deed. By His death and resurrection, He opened the way for us to be renewed in God’s image, no longer defined by the sin of Adam but by the righteousness of Christ.

The hope in Genesis 5:3 lies not in Adam’s legacy, but in the promise of a new Adam, Jesus, who would come to reverse the curse. Through faith in Christ, we are not only forgiven but are being transformed into His likeness. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 states, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” Though we still bear the scars of sin, in Christ, the image of God is being restored in us day by day.

Genesis 5:3 reminds us of the gravity of sin and the brokenness of humanity, but it also points us forward to the hope we have in Christ. He is the one who redeems and restores, making all things new. In Him, the image of God is not just a faint echo of Eden but a promise of a future where we will fully reflect His glory. Through Jesus, the tarnished image of God is renewed, and the hope of Genesis is fulfilled—not in our own efforts, but in the saving work of Christ, the perfect image of God who came to redeem His people.

Image by Tobias Keller at Unsplash