There are plenty of options for me to write about, such as: the social gospel idea, Rob Bell’s new book, presuppositions, my personal fears and doubts, difficulties of translating Greek, the importance of understanding doctrine, the importance of tradition, the stubbornness of people (myself included), marriage, family, let-downs, sin, redemption, and so on. Though, one thing has come to mind over and over again the past few days and that is Genesis, and the idea of writing a series of sermons trekking through this wonderfully crafted book. So, I think I will comment on the beginnings of a Genesis series, get it? the beginnings.
Genesis 1:1-3 (1) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (2) The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (3) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Simple, right? Beautiful, yes? These three verses are enormous. They give us time, in the beginning. They tell us what happened then, God was there and he created the heavens and the earth. They tell us what the skies and the earth were like, void and formless, without light, and there was water. They tell us where God’s Spirit was, over the face of the waters. Then they tell us what God does next, he creates light.
This is where I would like to begin, get it? begin. God, the creator of material, creates light. What is light? Well you can click this link to learn all about what light is scientifically, http://library.thinkquest.org/27356/p_index.htm The interesting thing to me is that I am sure God is pleased in his children when we figure out, on a deep level, his creation. Within the brief article there lies beauty and complexity and an enormity that my mind can only attribute to a beautiful, complex and enormous God.
When I read this passage of Scripture I visualize God in my mind playing with light, as though it were a liquid running through his hands, and he speaks to it because it is his. Of course I know God does not have hands, but the illustration is meaningful nonetheless. God speaks his creation into being because it is his. The very God that called out, “Light! Light!” is the very God who created you and I. As I type this I have one lamp on, and the glow of the desktop monitor. I can see through rods and cones, and cornea, and optic disks, and retinas, and nerves and thankfully I am not colorblind, but because God has called the very existence of light into being, I can share, I can write, and you can read.
Another important note. God called light to exist. Without God, light would not exist. This means that God can call light to not exist at any moment he desires. Furthermore, God calls us to exist. Everyday. The very fact that we get up each morning is a grace from God. I make the drive to class on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday because God allows it. It is as though he is perpetually saying to existence, “Exist! Exist!” and without his words we would be nothing. WITHOUT HIS WORDS WE WOULD BE NOTHING! Literally. Physically or salvific. Read for yourself.
John 1:1-4 (1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Ah ha! The beauty of Scripture is astounding. The very word of the Lord is the light of men! How poetic! How moving! That very light is Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word is our Saviour. He has been with mankind from the beginning, from before the beginning for the Word was God. Now, if Jesus Christ is the light and the Word, and the light is life, ought we not deny the light? Take up the light. Enjoy the light, hold it in your hands and feel the beauty of it. If God calls us to exist each day, and we exist in the physical creation of the light (sun, candle, lamp, etc.) is that not enough for us to come and fear the Lord. The very fact that we can see is reminder enough that Jesus Christ is real. Perhaps this is what Paul means in Romans 1.
Romans 1:19-20 (19) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (bold is my addition)
Need I say more? Light exists as a reminder that God exists. Repent and believe that Jesus is the Christ. Amen.
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