The word express has a few meanings and multiple usages. For example, remember New York’s express trains? Sometimes in a mad dash to catch the express, one might end up getting a local one. Locals, for example, might go to 14th Street, 21st, 28th, 34th, 42nd, etc. while an express train would skip less-populated stops and shoot from 14th Street to 34th. This was especially crucial if you needed to get, say, to 168th Street in the Bronx and wanted to get there straight from around 81st Street. A few key stops versus a ton of small ones where the trains had to slow down, stop, open doors, (sometimes to empty stations), close doors and restart.
Express works great when one’s in a rush. But express also portrays something explicit such as, “I expressly told you not to go.” Or, “You need to express your thoughts more clearly.” That reminds me of the song, Express Yourself (Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, 1970).
Here’s a different meaning for the word: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV).
The King James version reads, …“The express image of his person…”
In other words, Jesus is an exact image of God, the Father. That’s because He’s God in the flesh. Born as such so we could see Him and relate to Him as a human. It’s easy to rationalize, “God can’t relate to me! He’s way-up there! What would He (The Father) know? After all, He’s a Spirit! But in taking on human flesh, He can relate to our shortfalls.
Since we are made in His image, we need to treat others as if we were standing in His presence; with reverence. Since God knows and understands all things, we can express ourselves to Him! Go on, tell Him how you feel. You can go “Local” with Him; meaning, take your time; enjoy the view. Don’t take the express!
God Bless!
Sam