The Journey to Christmas: The Story Begins
As Christians, we have a lot of phrases that get tossed around so much that we often forget the original meaning or the power behind them. One of my favorites is when we sit down before our meals and pray, “Please bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies.” There is nothing inherently wrong with the prayer until you pray it over a ½ pound bacon cheeseburger from Wendy’s and a large fry so glazed in grease that its holder is now transparent. I imagine God in Heaven looking down and responding, “What, seriously?”
Another favorite of mine is when we invite a recent convert to the local church and proclaim, “He just got saved!” to everyone who passes by. Like the dinner prayer, it’s not wrong to pray it but sometimes we use the phrase and forget what it implies. If a person has just been saved, logical thought leads us to believe that there was a force holding him captive. Someone or something has gripped his or her life and a liberator has rescued that individual. It seems essential for Christians to understand this and I believe most of us do. The problem is that we love to focus on events like Christmas or the resurrection before we ever understand their power.
In our last study we found that God created the universe with the intent of displaying his glory. God and man interacted together in perfect unity. Man and woman shared unrivaled intimacy. It is like a movie which paints this ideal picture of life in the first few minutes. The main character is happy and the world is in pristine order. In two chapters, Genesis shows us God’s original intent. But like any other story, the picture is quickly smeared.
By chapter three we find Eve frolicking in the Garden of Eden. To Adam’s delight, she isn’t wearing a stitch of clothing! Things are going as they normally do until the serpent appears on the scene. The Bible doesn’t give him much of an introduction other than that he is crafty. He begins to solicit Eve with a thought.
“Hey Eve, what if this whole ‘don’t eat that fruit’ thing is really nothing? I bet God just doesn’t want you to be like him, knowing the difference between good and evil!”
In and of itself, the fruit of that tree is hardly different than any of the other fruits in the Garden. But given what the serpent had to say, there is something more to it. The text says it is the potential gain of wisdom which makes the fruit so desirable. With her curiosity peaked, temptation is hatched. She picks off the fruit and eats it. Adam is nearby and she gives it to him as well.
Instantly, something changes. Adam and Eve are aware of their nakedness. Even worse, God doesn’t seem so approachable anymore. They cover up and hide but when God confronts them, it is their awareness of their nakedness that tips him off. I sometimes imagine the look on God’s face. I don’t picture it as an angry Father. Instead, I envision God with the face of a heartbroken man. His expression disappears and his eyes glaze over in pain. Like a man who has just been betrayed, he knows the ramifications of the trespass on their relationship.
Evil cannot exist where good is not found. The nature of sin is to take what is inherently good and pervert it. It is only natural that the consequences will do the same.
God’s gift was for them to multiply. Now Eve will bear children in pain.
God’s gift was man’s charge to dominate and cultivate the earth. Now the earth will work against him.
God’s gift was perfect harmony between man and wife. Now Eve will desire her husband’s leadership.
God’s gift was perfect intimacy between the Creator and the creation. Now there is just fear.
God’s gift was his presence. Now they must leave him.
Throughout the rest of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), men grow increasingly further from God’s presence. As they do, their lives are shortened. Death quickly becomes a concern never seen in God’s original plan. As humans, we have been held captive by a force we willingly submitted to. In our sin nature we no longer belong to God. Death has taken ownership.
However, in the midst of all of God’s curses there is hope. God tells the serpent that a man will someday be born of Eve. He will rise up and although the serpent may bruise his heel, the man will crush his head. In other words, God will not leave his people in bondage. His image is still within them, however marred by sin it may be. It is at this scene of despair and pain that the road to Christmas begins. The rest of the Bible chronicles God’s plan to bring his people back. Even when they do not desire him, he will woo them into his loving arms. He will provide for them and when the moment is perfect, he will declare war on the principalities of darkness and send a hero to rescue the oppressed.
Read Genesis 3 and respond to one or more of the following questions. Also, feel free to add your own insights into the text. The more interaction, the better!
In Genesis 3:4-5, the serpent makes an accusation about God’s true motives. How might he actually be telling the truth but framing it in a way that demonizes God?
Did Eve get what the serpent said she would get?
How does the concept of nakedness relate to the concepts of intimacy and harmony in the passage?
What makes this passage significant in our study of Christmas?
www.gravityministries.org
Another favorite of mine is when we invite a recent convert to the local church and proclaim, “He just got saved!” to everyone who passes by. Like the dinner prayer, it’s not wrong to pray it but sometimes we use the phrase and forget what it implies. If a person has just been saved, logical thought leads us to believe that there was a force holding him captive. Someone or something has gripped his or her life and a liberator has rescued that individual. It seems essential for Christians to understand this and I believe most of us do. The problem is that we love to focus on events like Christmas or the resurrection before we ever understand their power.
In our last study we found that God created the universe with the intent of displaying his glory. God and man interacted together in perfect unity. Man and woman shared unrivaled intimacy. It is like a movie which paints this ideal picture of life in the first few minutes. The main character is happy and the world is in pristine order. In two chapters, Genesis shows us God’s original intent. But like any other story, the picture is quickly smeared.
By chapter three we find Eve frolicking in the Garden of Eden. To Adam’s delight, she isn’t wearing a stitch of clothing! Things are going as they normally do until the serpent appears on the scene. The Bible doesn’t give him much of an introduction other than that he is crafty. He begins to solicit Eve with a thought.
“Hey Eve, what if this whole ‘don’t eat that fruit’ thing is really nothing? I bet God just doesn’t want you to be like him, knowing the difference between good and evil!”
In and of itself, the fruit of that tree is hardly different than any of the other fruits in the Garden. But given what the serpent had to say, there is something more to it. The text says it is the potential gain of wisdom which makes the fruit so desirable. With her curiosity peaked, temptation is hatched. She picks off the fruit and eats it. Adam is nearby and she gives it to him as well.
Instantly, something changes. Adam and Eve are aware of their nakedness. Even worse, God doesn’t seem so approachable anymore. They cover up and hide but when God confronts them, it is their awareness of their nakedness that tips him off. I sometimes imagine the look on God’s face. I don’t picture it as an angry Father. Instead, I envision God with the face of a heartbroken man. His expression disappears and his eyes glaze over in pain. Like a man who has just been betrayed, he knows the ramifications of the trespass on their relationship.
Evil cannot exist where good is not found. The nature of sin is to take what is inherently good and pervert it. It is only natural that the consequences will do the same.
God’s gift was for them to multiply. Now Eve will bear children in pain.
God’s gift was man’s charge to dominate and cultivate the earth. Now the earth will work against him.
God’s gift was perfect harmony between man and wife. Now Eve will desire her husband’s leadership.
God’s gift was perfect intimacy between the Creator and the creation. Now there is just fear.
God’s gift was his presence. Now they must leave him.
Throughout the rest of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), men grow increasingly further from God’s presence. As they do, their lives are shortened. Death quickly becomes a concern never seen in God’s original plan. As humans, we have been held captive by a force we willingly submitted to. In our sin nature we no longer belong to God. Death has taken ownership.
However, in the midst of all of God’s curses there is hope. God tells the serpent that a man will someday be born of Eve. He will rise up and although the serpent may bruise his heel, the man will crush his head. In other words, God will not leave his people in bondage. His image is still within them, however marred by sin it may be. It is at this scene of despair and pain that the road to Christmas begins. The rest of the Bible chronicles God’s plan to bring his people back. Even when they do not desire him, he will woo them into his loving arms. He will provide for them and when the moment is perfect, he will declare war on the principalities of darkness and send a hero to rescue the oppressed.
Read Genesis 3 and respond to one or more of the following questions. Also, feel free to add your own insights into the text. The more interaction, the better!
In Genesis 3:4-5, the serpent makes an accusation about God’s true motives. How might he actually be telling the truth but framing it in a way that demonizes God?
Did Eve get what the serpent said she would get?
How does the concept of nakedness relate to the concepts of intimacy and harmony in the passage?
What makes this passage significant in our study of Christmas?
www.gravityministries.org
posted by Matt Morrison | 12:29 AM
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