Devotionals for December 8, 2022
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READ
Genesis 3:8-9, 15-17, 25
8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
REFLECT
The main theme at the intersection of the Passover and Communion is the shedding of blood. At the Passover, a lamb was sacrificed and consumed to avoid certain death one time. At the Last Supper, which we celebrate as Communion, the promise of Jesus to fulfill the promise of the Passover for eternity was his shed blood.
Why so much blood? What does blood have to do with eternal salvation? Look to Genesis at the creation of mankind. Adam and Eve were created to be in communion with God. In the beginning, there was no sin. Human beings were designed in God's image to be in communion with Him. When Adam and Eve ate the one tree they weren’t supposed to eat, they became aware of evil. They violated God's design, missed the mark, and sinned. The word sin can be traced back to an archery term meaning “to miss the mark”. They suddenly became aware of their nakedness and tried to cover up their shame with leaves. Not a very adequate or lasting covering. God had to slaughter animals to give them a better, albeit still temporary, covering for their shame. Blood had to be shed for a temporary atonement for their sin. Adam and Eve’s first attempt wasn’t going to cut it.
The blood of the sacrifices commanded by God later in the New Testament were also temporary atonements. A permanent sacrifice needed to be made. Jesus, being fully God and full man, perfect and without sin, made that ultimate sacrifice of His own free will. His blood once and for all time has covered the sin and shame of those who embrace Him. His resurrection back to life sealed the deal by conquering the penalty of sin, death, and separation from God.
Why so much blood? What does blood have to do with eternal salvation? Look to Genesis at the creation of mankind. Adam and Eve were created to be in communion with God. In the beginning, there was no sin. Human beings were designed in God's image to be in communion with Him. When Adam and Eve ate the one tree they weren’t supposed to eat, they became aware of evil. They violated God's design, missed the mark, and sinned. The word sin can be traced back to an archery term meaning “to miss the mark”. They suddenly became aware of their nakedness and tried to cover up their shame with leaves. Not a very adequate or lasting covering. God had to slaughter animals to give them a better, albeit still temporary, covering for their shame. Blood had to be shed for a temporary atonement for their sin. Adam and Eve’s first attempt wasn’t going to cut it.
The blood of the sacrifices commanded by God later in the New Testament were also temporary atonements. A permanent sacrifice needed to be made. Jesus, being fully God and full man, perfect and without sin, made that ultimate sacrifice of His own free will. His blood once and for all time has covered the sin and shame of those who embrace Him. His resurrection back to life sealed the deal by conquering the penalty of sin, death, and separation from God.
APPLY
Q: What does “Atonement” mean to you? Look it up if you need to.
Q: How hard do you think it may have been for Jesus to embrace His own destiny and do the will of His Father even to His own death?
Q: Does this “shedding of blood” bring you peace?
Q: How hard do you think it may have been for Jesus to embrace His own destiny and do the will of His Father even to His own death?
Q: Does this “shedding of blood” bring you peace?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Heavenly Father and Son, forgive us for missing the mark and sinning. Help us to embrace the way we were originally designed and leave behind everything the world and Satan try to convince us is right. Help us to extend your Heavenly forgiveness you give us to others and bring you honor and glory.
Heavenly Father and Son, forgive us for missing the mark and sinning. Help us to embrace the way we were originally designed and leave behind everything the world and Satan try to convince us is right. Help us to extend your Heavenly forgiveness you give us to others and bring you honor and glory.