And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image’… so, God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him…” Genesis 1:26, 27.  KJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image… God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him…” Genesis 1:26-27 NASB

We are all familiar with the scenes of Genesis 1 and the creation of man. The Apostle John adds to this by telling us that “all things were made by Him (the Lord Jesus Christ), and without Him was not one thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Colossians also ascribes all to our Savior, adding that not only was it “in” Him and “by” but that all creation is “for” Him.

So, without allowing imagination too much liberty, when the Lord Jesus formed Adam, He was forming the very same humanity and body which He would one day inhabit. Now if that were you or I, think of the magnificent vehicle of a body we would have fashioned. All types of magical powers and abilities would have been at our disposal. We would have assured ourselves of natural beauty and prowess, of bodies that could withstand whatever came against them.

Tell me, would you have formed a body that is so rich in nerve network that it can feel the slightest pain? What about if you knew that pain was in your future? Would you have formed a body capable of suffering if you knew that one day, that body which you would have would be called to pass through suffering unimaginable?

Would you have placed a rich network of nerve fibres in your hands knowing that those hands would one day be pierced with nails? The Hebrew servant (Ex. 21) was to have his ear pierced through in a place that has minimal nerve sensitivity. But not so the Perfect Servant.

He fashioned the human hand so that, when clenched into a fist, it could deliver an impact far in excess of what an open hand might deliver. He formed the saliva to fill the mouth of men to enable chewing and swallowing of food yet knew that men would so despise Him that their venomous hatred will reveal itself by spitting in His face. He gave us emotions yet He Himself could speak of the shame, reproach, and dishonour which He endured.

You can add almost indefinitely to the list. He fine-tuned the human voice through the lungs, vocal cords, and tongue, a voice which would mock and scorn His suffering. He endued us with emotion, foreknowing it would mean He would be a Man of Sorrows.

We do not know what thoughts filled His mind on that sixth day of creation when the counsel of the Godhead was to make man. Yet, He willingly formed the creature man, with all of his unique abilities and capabilities, with the full knowledge that He would one day take “blood and flesh” Himself and become a real man. He knew, as well, that every part of man would in a future day be used to add to His suffering and pain.

And yet, “God created man.”