Representation

The world is obsessed with representation. As a culture we want to see people in the media, on the big screen, in politics and in our communities who look like us, think like us, affirm us for who we are. Is this a new desire, is it something that we are only just dealing with now in the 21st century or is there something larger at play, something much deeper?

There appears to be a shift in mindset in the current culture where the stories being told, how they’re being told is not quite as important as the one who’s telling the story. This is in order that people everywhere can see someone who is somewhat like them so that they can be more comfortable with who they are, proud of who they are, their heritage, etc. Unfortunately, this seems to be at the expense of storytelling which actually undermines the whole idea. If the stories being told by these people who represent everyone lack good acting, good writing, production and the like they will fall flat. All the intent behind the representation will mean nothing and actually be worse for the cause they’re trying to promote. This begs the question, why is the agenda of representation so important?

Scripture tells us that man was created in the image of God, male and female He created them. (Gen 1:27). Man and woman are created and designed to represent and bear God’s image. We are meant to be the ones on display for His glory, bearing His name and telling His story as the people of God. Then came the fall, where these representatives of God instead of fulfilling their mandate went against God and decided that they would represent themselves instead, calling themselves gods, to be like God (the Devil’s lie). Paul in Romans 5:12 tells us that we are represented in Adam, he’s the one who sinned and plunged humanity into sin and death. We know deep down that our current representative is lacking, a failure, so we look for someone better, someone who can be the representative we need.

Searching for representation is as old as humanity itself. Although the world doesn’t acknowledge their representative in Adam, yet they acknowledge their need for a better representative. For them, it looks like getting people who look like them in the public sphere, but as soon as they fail, they’re often cast aside and the search begins again.

This time I’m not talking about 21st century western culture but closer to the 14th century BC culture. The Bible gives us this history throughout its pages of looking for someone to replace Adam as the true representative we can count on, not only for validation but for salvation. Whether we think of Abraham, Moses, Saul, David or Esther, they have redeeming features but cannot perfectly represent and fulfil the desires of mankind.

We need a better representative, one that’s not tainted with sin nor of the same lineage, yet of the same nature. We need one like the Son of Man (Daniel 7) who can come before the Almighty and be received as the perfect representative, the one to rule justly on our behalf. This was hinted at and prophesied in the Old Testament, in the New Testament it is made reality.’

We have Christ, the incarnate God, the God who became flesh and came as a servant (Phil 2:5-11). In essence He became man so that He could represent us perfectly to take our place. He didn’t do this to validate us and our way of thinking, but to take the punishment meant for us. He died our death so that we would not die and He lived the perfect life so that His life and righteousness could be counted as ours. Those who believe in Christ are then represented by Him before God instead of Adam, Christ being the new Adam, the new man.

How does this inform the current culture’s desire for representation? For Christians we are represented by Christ because He is everything Adam was supposed to be and more. We don’t have to look to the world anymore for someone to validate us. When we are in Him, we are represented by Him, no longer needing to work for our own salvation or look to another who could never measure up. Also, we regain the ability to represent Him well as image bearers. The image never went away, but was marred, corrupted and focused inward instead of upward. We can do what we’re made for because of Him and that includes being satisfied with Him.

We all have the desire to be represented but in the end, it’s not on the big screen that we need it but before the throne of God. This is not to say diversity or our identity isn’t important, as we are called to love and bear with one another which we couldn’t do if we didn’t value our differences. We also couldn’t do that properly unless we understand that the most important thing about us is not our age, ethnicity, gender, what have you, but our identity in Christ. We are bound to others in the church because we are all together with Christ as His body. Beyond that, all are to be valued because all are His creation, all are made in His image. If we denigrate any individual or group of people, we denigrate His image and His name. Instead, we are to do as we are called, love one another, and love our enemies.

Let us be reminded that when we see this cultural change and agenda it is ultimately a desire that is inbuilt into mankind that points to Christ who has fought on our behalf and come up victorious. We no longer have to look for another saviour as the perfect one has come.