The Beginning of Hope
When we read in Genesis, the very first book of the Bible, we find that mankind was created for relationship with God. Man and woman were created uniquely, the only creation that is said to be created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We also read that God walked in the garden of Eden, where the first man and woman dwelled (Genesis 3:8). What an amazing thought that the Creator walked side-by-side with his creation and that mankind, the finishing touch on creation, was made to reflect their Creator!
But through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, sin came into the world. They chose fruit and a desire for wisdom (Gen 3:6) over obedience and a true relationship with God. As a result, they were kicked out of the garden and the once beautiful image of God reflected in them was marred by the ugly nature of sin.
So what were they to do? They had messed things up and life was no longer this perfect existence in a perfect world. Finding and growing food became difficult, childbirth became painful, and life in general became more of a burden. Though they still had breath in their lungs, death would soon come knocking at their door. There was no longer this hope of living day by day eternally with God.
But in spite of all that had come upon them because of their disobedience, God gave them a ray of hope. In Genesis 3:15, God tells the serpent who had tempted them, that there would come an offspring of Eve's that would crush his head. This is the "beginning of hope" for redemption. This is the promise that one day a man would come to destroy the works of sin and death, turning man's failure into victory.
As with everything, God was faithful to His promise. Fast-forward to about 3 A.D. or so, a little baby boy was born to a young couple in the obscure little town of Bethlehem. This little boy would grow up to be a man that would turn the world upside down. He would die a criminal's death, only to be raised to life, gaining victory over death and restoring hope to mankind.
We today are able to live in the hope that was promised so many years ago because of this man, because of Jesus. He takes what was marred, and broken, and ugly in us, and restores us. When we place Jesus in charge of our lives, we have the hope of once again walking with God day by day for eternity.
But through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, sin came into the world. They chose fruit and a desire for wisdom (Gen 3:6) over obedience and a true relationship with God. As a result, they were kicked out of the garden and the once beautiful image of God reflected in them was marred by the ugly nature of sin.
So what were they to do? They had messed things up and life was no longer this perfect existence in a perfect world. Finding and growing food became difficult, childbirth became painful, and life in general became more of a burden. Though they still had breath in their lungs, death would soon come knocking at their door. There was no longer this hope of living day by day eternally with God.
But in spite of all that had come upon them because of their disobedience, God gave them a ray of hope. In Genesis 3:15, God tells the serpent who had tempted them, that there would come an offspring of Eve's that would crush his head. This is the "beginning of hope" for redemption. This is the promise that one day a man would come to destroy the works of sin and death, turning man's failure into victory.
As with everything, God was faithful to His promise. Fast-forward to about 3 A.D. or so, a little baby boy was born to a young couple in the obscure little town of Bethlehem. This little boy would grow up to be a man that would turn the world upside down. He would die a criminal's death, only to be raised to life, gaining victory over death and restoring hope to mankind.
We today are able to live in the hope that was promised so many years ago because of this man, because of Jesus. He takes what was marred, and broken, and ugly in us, and restores us. When we place Jesus in charge of our lives, we have the hope of once again walking with God day by day for eternity.
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