He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24 ESV
Genesis 3 shows how just one simple choice by man lead to his separation from God and the slow death of the perfect world that was created. Adam and Eve did not immediately physically die when they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, however they cursed both themselves and the world around them to a life full of toil and trouble that would end in a slow or violent death. As a result of this choice, Adam and Eve were removed from the garden. Even though things may have seemed hopeless for them, God knew the whole story before it even began and had already planned to send a Messiah to offer all of humanity a chance to return to him.
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 ESV
Jesus’ baptism marks the beginnings of His ministry and shows both the unification and distinct personalities of the Trinity. All three Persons of God are present at this baptism, which Jesus partakes in to obey the commands of God the Father. Unlike Adam, Jesus perfectly obeyed every command given to Him by God and by doing so, was able to be the perfect sacrifice that was required to reconcile God and man. God knew that Adam and Even were going to sin against Him, but He still gave them a choice, knowing the entire story of humanity’s redemption before He even created the world. Even though I still live in a world that greatly suffers the effects of sin, I can preserve because I know that through Christ I will one day see the new heaven and earth where everything and everyone will be free from sin and death forever.
Dear God, Thank you for the redemption you have given me through Your Son. Please help me to honor You in everything I do and keep drawing me closing to You. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Nathanael (nborger2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 