Day 1
“And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam
and his wife. Then the Lord God said, ‘Look, the human beings have become like
us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the
tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!’ So the Lord God
banished them from the Garden of Eden…” —Genesis 3:21–23a nlt
How
is this extreme love? After Adam and Eve chose to disobey, they felt the
first negative emotion: shame. God did not shame them; it was the result of
knowing what they were never meant to know. Unlike many human parents who
continue to add to a wayward child’s embarrassment, God killed one of his creatures
to make clothing and lessen their shame.
Did you grow up with “Shame on
you!” ringing in your ears? Some adults use this phrase to control children’s
behavior, but it pours contempt on a child’s head. God never intended for us to know
shame. When Adam and Eve did experience shame, it was God himself who
provided a temporary solution.
God banished his children from
the garden paradise he had made for them. God never intended for us to know evil.
When he sent Adam and Eve away from the garden, it was so they would not have
to live with evil forever. Death would now be a grace-filled release from the
hard life ahead.
As a young person, I never thought much about death,
and certainly not my own. The longer I live, the more I understand the deep,
anguish-filled love of God. When I know the place he is preparing for me, when
I know I can trust his sacrifice for my sins, I can trust his extreme love plan—eternity
with him.
Lord, the psalmist wrote that you do
not take any delight in the death of your children. Yet death is a provision to
free us from the painful results of living in shame amidst all the evil around
us. It is also the door through which we pass to live with you forever. Thank
you for your extreme love, providing a solution through Jesus Christ, in whose
name we pray.
Karen
Helsel, Sunnyside, Washington
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