Having read Genesis 2 many times, it has been refreshing this morning to see it in a new light. Genesis 1 shows us the grand and cosmic side of creation. God speaks and all of the universe comes into existence. It is epic and majestic in its description. Chapter 2, however, shows a more personal and intimate side of God’s creative work. Here are a few examples:

God finished His creative work in chapter 1 but it is in 2 that He rests.

In chapter 1 God created man but in 2 He formed him from the dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. How much more personal could this creative act be? God performed the original CPR on Adam. It was His divine breath that brought Adam to life and made him a living soul.

In chapter 1 God creates all plant life but in 2 He “plants” a garden. His garden is not merely functional because God’s creative touch makes it both pleasant for food and to the eyes. A beautiful and scenic landscape was important enough to God that He prepared the garden this way just for Adam. Even food was not merely an essential but a pleasant delight in God’s design.

In chapter 1 God creates man but in chapter 2 He gives enough personal attention to Adam’s situation that he recognizes his lonely plight and declares that it is not good. God did not merely wind up His creation like a mechanical clock and let it go. He cared so much that He observed Adam and actively sought to order his life in a way that would be best for Him! Its humerous how arrogant I can be when I think that I’ve risen above the need for a woman, when it was God who originally designed men and women to be together. It is a beautiful picture of God’s intimate love for His creation that He recognized Adam’s need and created a woman for him!

In chapter 1 God creates the animals but in chapter 2 He forms them out of the ground and then brings them to Adam to personally name them. He loves even the creatures that He created, so much that He applies personal attention to making sure that they are named!

Many scholars have concluded that the differences between chapters 1-2 of Genesis indicate that varying sources were used to compile this information. Moses was not the sole author as the Bible declares but one who merely collected various traditions and writings, compiling them into the Pentateuch. I believe, however, that God merely wanted to show us two sides of His nature in these two chapters. God is majestic, mighty, grand and high above His creation as suggested in chapter one. He is also personal, intimately concerned and directly involved with His creation, as seen in chapter two. This is assuring and affirming for us because He sees our needs, cares for us intimately and knows us by name!

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

This passage is such a wonderful reminder right at the beginning of my seminary tenure. It reminds me that no matter how busy we become, even with good things, we must never stop spending time with Jesus. Martha’s service was commendable for Jesus says that the greatest is the one that serves. In her service, however, she lost sight of the most important thing. Sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His words seemed secondary to her and this is why it upset her that Mary was not helping her serve. Jesus’ loving correction is what all of us busy people need to hear for the one thing that is truly necessary is that which can never be taken from us; our relationship with Christ and the words of life that He speaks to us. May I never forget to sit at His feet whether busy in seminary, work or merely life in general!

“…and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (Exodus 14:5)

It is remarkable how quickly we forget our reasons for doing what is right. Pharaoh was the prototype for this tendency of the human nature. When faced with the consequences of his decision to keep God’s people in Egypt, he willingly complied with God’s demands. As soon as his life was comfortable again, however, he completely forgot any good reason for obeying God and turned again to his old ways.

Here we find him having already released the children of Israel and now wondering why he ever did such a thing. The judgments and plagues that have so recently subsided are now far from his mind and all he can think about is what he is have given up in order to do the right thing. His choice to pursue the children of Israel and bring them back, was his ultimate undoing for this was where his entire army was drowned in the sea.

Satan will always tempt us to forget the conviction, grief and pain that our sin has caused us, so that he can ensnare us again and again in the same sins, until we are ultimately destroyed.

“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” (Matt. 12:47-48)

Jesus was the master of the teachable moment. In this passage, some well-meaning people inform Jesus that his family is waiting to talk to Him. I used to think that Jesus’ response was somewhat disrespectful to his family but looking closer, it seems that while Jesus loved his own family, he recognized the opportunity to use this moment to teach his audience a profound truth.

There are many different ways that the Bible describes our relationship to Christ. He is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is our Master, Savior, Redeemer, King, Messiah, Way to the Father, Bread of Life, Door that leads to heaven, and even friend, among many other designations. This passage, however reveals a unique dimension of our relationship to Jesus.

“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt. 12:49-50)

If we do the will of the Father, we are his family—fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers! What is the will of the Father? Jesus said it was to believe in Him whom the Father sent. It is an absolute wonder that Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe, would gladly claim us as his own family!There is a very special relationship designated by being called His family.

Although families do not always live this out, one of the most significant things about this relationship is that it is meant to last forever. Friends come and go, co-workers move on, neighbors and other acquaintances drift away but when one returns home, like it or not, the family is meant to be there.

Another thing that is significant about being Jesus’ family is the familiarity that comes with being that close to Him. This familiarity tends to break down our famililial relations because we take each other for granted, get annoyed with each other, hurt each other, etc. When we love our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, however, it is because we can look past all of the difficulties and offences, to see the importance of God-ordained relationships that transcend our problems with each other. Being in Jesus’ family, however, is perfect because even though we continually offend and hurt Him, He loves us and overlooks our faults, even to the point of completely forgetting them when we come to Him in repentance!

There are so many more things that could be said about the wonders of being Jesus’ family! I hope that I will continue to think on this and value what I have as a brother of Christ!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

Jesus’ words here speak to me because I often seem to struggle to find spiritual rest within my soul. This timeless verse reveals so much of its meaning in the original language.

“…all ye that labor and are heavy laden”
The term “heavy laden” comes from the Greek word “phortizo” which means “to load up” or “to overburden”. It carries the idea of pouring more into a cup than it can hold or overloading a car or animal with more than it can carry. This is literally what God’s law does to us. It places a load upon us that we can never carry. This becomes the cause for great spiritual anxiety and unrest until we recognize that Jesus carried the load both of God’s law and our sin to Calvary. He has fulfilled everything that God has asked of us and offers peace and rest to all who come to Him!

“…and I will give you rest”
The Greek word for refresh is transliterated “anapano”, meaning “to repose or to refresh”. It stems from two words, the first being “ana” meaning “up” or “at” and the second being “pauo”, a primary verb that means “to stop, restrain, quit, or come to an end.” Coming to Jesus for rest simply means that we stop all of our religious striving and fall upon His grace in total dependence. Through the eyes of faith, we must recognize that His redemptive work is the only payment that could truly make us right with God. Jesus brings all of our self-righteous efforts to an end, causing us to live Godly lives out of gratitude rather than religious obligation. When I don’t have the rest that Jesus offers it is because I am relying on my own failing attempts to make me holy.

In the midst of searching for jobs, friends, community and direction for my new life here in San Diego, I found an incredibly encouraging passage of Scripture today. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not threfore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

God is so familiar with His creation that not even sparrows escape his notice. I have no need to fear or worry about the future because God is so intimately acquainted with everything about me and He cares for me! This may seem quite basic but how easily we forget it. God values us and cares for our needs!

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Can you imagine the courage that it must have taken to drop their entire lives down by their nets laying on the ground, to follow a man they had barely even met? I think I’ve got courage when I take steps into the unknown, like moving to San Diego, but anything I’ve done pales in comparison to the decision that Peter and Andrew made here. Didn’t they have questions that they needed answered first? Didn’t they need to discuss things with their families and pray about it? Does Jesus call us like this anymore and if so, how do we answer?