Trust Me, You Need To Hear This

Clear, blue skies marked his afternoon walk through the garden. As he weaved through the trees, the warm sun and gentle breeze met to form yet another perfect day. Blue skies ran endlessly toward the horizon and the coming starry night. The grass was soft and moist against his bare feet. Walking through a sea of well-groomed trees, he was reminded of the work he had done that morning.

But, perhaps work is the wrong word. Work as we know it is hard and toilsome. The upkeep of this garden paradise was pleasant and fulfilling. He didn't go about his responsibilities begrudgingly, but with a gracious heart. This was part of his purpose, part of the reason for his making. The garden was his; it was given to him to keep in order. He never worked long, but always completed his duties before the cool morning mist subsided and the afternoon sun took dominance over the day.

Walking the garden alone today, he enjoyed the symphony that rushed over him in a river of serenity. Rustling leaves set the tempo as they danced to the whistling wind. Cicadas kept the rhythm with their continuous calls. Brightly-colored birds darted to and fro through the tree branches as they sang their various melodies. These songs would rise in a glorious crescendo before slowly fading to harmony. As he walked, the sound of running water grew louder as it became the prevailing theme of the movement. At the peak of this nature sonata, another sound commanded his attention,

"Adam."

His name was spoken by a commanding voice that immediately arrested his full attention. The sound carried a kingly power and majesty greater than the mightiest lion. It was deep and strong, yet perfectly balanced by unmatchable love and grace. The voice was familiar; it was one he knew well. This voice belonged to the closest of friends.

As Adam engaged him in conversation, he was filled once again with wonder. Talking with this friend, Adam's heart was excited with a sense of purpose and a passion for life that seemed to come alive within him. The time these two spent together impacted Adam at the very depths of his soul. The friend took great interest in Adam, in his life, his thoughts, and his dreams. Adam was his most precious creation, bearing His very image. The two spent the rest of the afternoon walking together through the garden.

Besides this Creator, Adam also enjoyed a wonderfully close relationship with his wife, Eve. They had been nearly inseparable since the day Adam awoke to find her walking his garden. She was everything that he lacked and completed him in a way no other creature could. He loved her and had promised his Creator to honor, protect, and cherish her. The two daily shared life together; they walked and talked, laughing as they explored every inch of Eden hand-in-hand.

The couple shared purpose in life as well. God had created them to love Him and walk with Him in close fellowship. Furthermore, they had been given the task of filling the earth and caring for the garden. Everything they would ever need was found in God, the object of their worship. All He required was their obedience.

Unfortunately, this story does not end in "happily ever after", at least not yet. Rebellion led to man's downfall. One single act of disobedience resulted in physical and spiritual death for not only Adam, but all to follow after him. "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all men because all have sinned." (Rom 5:12) Since Adam's error, all of history has been building toward the salvation that would appear to all men. God began by making covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David as He paved the way for the fulfillment of His master plan.

During these years, the blood of lambs was used to cover man's wrongdoing. Sacrifice was now required to remove the guilt and shame of disobedience. The sacrificial system brought peace, albeit tentative, between man and God. Yet a chasm still remained. An eternal bridge to the Father was not yet in place. Holiness was impossible for man to attain, and without it, he could not yet enter the presence of God. A permanent solution was needed. Soon, it would come in the flesh to dwell among men.

Jesus Christ changed everything. Being born in the flesh, He carried the very nature and form of God, yet He walked with humility, not counting equality with God something to be grasped. He made Himself nothing, taking on the role of a servant. As a man, He became obedient to death, death on a cross. The perfect sacrifice for the sins of men, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above all names. At the sound of His very name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Kurios. He is Yahweh. (Phil 2:5-11)

The grace of God has come, the salvation that has appeared to all men. (Titus 2:11) Jesus called this eternal life: "that they know the only true God and Jesus whom He has sent." (John 17:3) Eternal life is found in knowing, loving, and obeying the God of the universe. Paul tells this to the Romans: "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Adam took part in perfect relationship with God as he walked his garden. Now, we too can walk with God through the salvation found in His Son, Jesus Christ. One day, we will walk with the Creator amongst the trees of a new Eden.

I would be remiss to leave this most important message off of my blog. This is the story of the greatest thing to happen in my life. The tomb is empty, He is waiting...