Changing Logos (Colossians 1:15)

Recently, a well-known fast food franchise announced their decision to change their logo. Such decisions are not taken lightly, either by the company management or the public. It is, after all, the symbol of the company. It points to the values and reputation of the company. A poorly executed change in the symbol could be disastrous if it distracts and/or draws attention away from the company.

Presently and for many centuries, the Cross is probably the most ubiquitous symbol of Christian faith. But it is interesting that even early Christians progressed through different symbols of their faith.  A few of these symbols included a peacock (a Greek symbol of immortality), a pelican (a symbol of a sacrificing mother that would wound itself and feed its own blood to its brood during times when there was no food), and a fish (an acrostic for the Greek phrase, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior).

All of these symbols simply point to the subject of their faith, Jesus Christ.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:15 (ESV)

No symbol can ever capture the essence of Jesus Christ. How could it? He is the image of the invisible God. He is the image of omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. There is nothing that we can ever comprehend that could fully capture these qualities. Any symbol could be a distraction. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we enter a living relationship, not the worship and adoration of a symbol.

A logo or symbol is important. But it should direct our attention to, and enhance our understanding and appreciation of, the subject. The many symbols that have been used to represent Jesus Christ and Christian faith should direct us to the source-Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.