Bible reference : The whole Bible.
From the very beginning, God writes his story, and believe it or not, we are all part of it. It all begins when God creates a perfect, welcoming home for humanity. After making such special things that reflect his goodness, he created us in his own image. God loved us as his children and gave us everything we needed.
The plan was for us to walk alongside God and care for all that He made with love and gratitude. And so it was for a time. However, the first two people created, Adam and Eve, failed in that goal. God had an enemy who deceived Adam and Eve into believing that they did not need God. That they could take care of themselves, know everything without depending on God. They rejected the Creator as their King and Lord.
Thus, they turned away from God, listening to the serpent and to themselves. When they ate the fruit that God had forbidden, the man and the woman died spiritually. And they would also die physically, little by little, heading towards the end. The whole earth was cursed with the entrance of sin into the world.
God was disappointed by this, but this decision did not take Him by surprise. He had already prepared an alternative way to the great problem of sin. A descendant of the woman would trample on the serpent’s head, that is, destroy the enemy’s influence in the world and restore the kingdom of God as it was in the beginning.
This was a wonderful promise, but Eve and Adam were expelled from paradise. Now life would not be so easy. Hard work, pain, suffering, violence and death would be the payment for their bad decision to live independently of God.
Time passed, evil multiplied throughout the world. Destruction and death were the result of everyone’s sin, but there was still the promise of hope for a Savior. God chose a man, called him, and promised that through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed. Abraham believed, and this justified him before God.
The story continued with the son, Isaac, and the 12 grandchildren of the patriarch Abraham. Faith was the difference for this family. Even with their mistakes, God kept his promise. He freed them from slavery in a foreign country (Egypt) and gave them the land he had promised them. From one family, God established the nation of Israel.
The Lord clearly taught how his people were to live for him. He recorded the Law and all its commandments so that his people could learn and live in a pure and faithful way that would please him.
Important leaders, judges and prophets arose to lead the people, but the most faithful continued to await the fulfillment of the promise of the great liberator. From the lineage of one of these, King David, God promised that the Promised One (Messiah) would come, the Prince of Peace, who would have an eternal kingdom.
However, even God’s chosen people sinned, turning away from the Lord and His guidance. The nation of Israel was punished for its bad choices and ended up being captured by other nations. It was taken captive, which further reminded us of the promise of the great Savior to come, Immanuel, God present with us.
After a period of silence, the promise was fulfilled. The Word of God became incarnate and came to live among men to teach them in practice all the will of God. Jesus is the promised one (Christ), born miraculously of a virgin to save all from sin and the power of evil. He is the one who had been promised from the beginning. Jesus not only fulfilled all the Law of God, but he is also the way that leads us to the truth and life of God.
Jesus paid the price of God’s justice, receiving in himself the punishment of divine wrath for sins.
Therefore, He died in a cursed way, on a cross, taking the place of all sinners to give the opportunity of salvation. Once again God offers an opportunity for forgiveness to those who believe in His love and sacrifice. As proof of His power over life and death, the Lord Jesus rose again on the third day.
All of his followers saw him resurrected. This was confirmation that everything he said and did was true. He had indeed fulfilled God’s promise from the beginning. And he expects those who hear his Word to believe and accept his gift of love wholeheartedly.
He wants to save us from the judgment to come. It will be the final punishment, condemning sin and all of God’s enemies. Those who reject Him will also be punished, but Christ lovingly offers a safe place with Him for those who believe.
His apostles announced this message: the Gospel (good news) of Jesus’ Salvation, to the point of paying with their own lives. Everyone who, throughout history, has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, will live in eternity with God, in the paradise that he has prepared, just as it was in the beginning of everything.
In this wonderful place that Christ has prepared for us, in the heavenly mansion, we will live under the light of God, without the need for sun or stars. There will be no more crying, pain, affliction or death, since our satisfaction and joy will be full and eternal in the presence of the Lord.
Now, all of us who have heard this wonderful story cannot remain still and aloof. We cannot remain indifferent to this genuine love story.
We need to take a step closer to the Savior, understanding that he is the author of life. That he loves us with unconditional love. Yes, Christ calls us to true faith and worship. And this love and trust in Jesus the Savior allows the believer to be born again. Receiving the life that was lost in the Garden of Eden.
To reflect: You are part of God’s story!
Have you decided whether you will live your life your way or according to God’s will? Think about it and decide.
Meditation : Whenever you read the Bible, remember that God is its author and principal actor. Ultimately, everything is about and for the glory of God. It is he who guides human history and thus reveals his own love story. This beautiful and moving story is available to everyone. It can be known through a careful look at the biblical text, which will allow a general understanding of the Bible.