Can You Hear The Groans Of Creation?
Good Morning Friends,
One of the unique things about history is being able to look back and to see the moments and turning points in which everything changed. It is fascinating to see how some of the smallest, and seemingly unimportant events, at a certain moment in time, have had a bigger significance than anyone would have ever imagined. Who would have thought that the unfortunate acts of Adam and Eve in the Garden would have such a ripple effect? It was only a piece of fruit. But thankfully Christ is giving birth to a solution and to a hope in our very lives that also has a ripple effect that cancels out the curse. Here the seed of our existence must change. The image of the thorns and the fruit must take on new meaning as we too on this All Hallows Eve must face our fears. Can You Hear The Groans Of Creation?
Scripture: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:18-25 (NRSV)
And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
Genesis 3:17-18 (NRSV)
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
Luke 13:18-21 (NRSV)
Message: In Romans 8, we see the effects from two very important turning points in history. The first turning point took place with a couple in a wonderful paradise. This paradise was a wonderful garden that was full of life, fruit bearing trees, vegetation, and peaceful animals. This place was called “Good” by its Creator. Everything was fine until we as humans were tempted to be like God. Here a turning point happened with consequences of pain to follow. Even today we struggle with the stresses that come with life, like worries about making ends meet, or even our own futures. And the effect expanded for as Adam and Eve fell, so did creation, whether it deserved to or not. Because of this sin, creation has come under God’s judgment too. It is no longer able to fulfill God’s purposes. Instead of producing fruit and flowers, it produces thorns and thistles. It longs for the completion of our redemption at the last day so that it too will be renewed, restored, and free. Paul says it is like the whole of creation is groaning together in the pains of childbirth. And not only the creation groans, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly too as we wait eagerly for the resolution. With creation, we long for that final day when Jesus will make all things new. We long for the completion of our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Fortunately, Paul is a man who knows his history, and he points to a second turning point in the history of the world…the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this event in Jesus Christ, the Creator came to reclaim and restore His entire creation. On the cross, Jesus bore our sin and its curse. At the tomb, His victory is announced and His resurrection signals that creation itself will also be made new. As people who live in this hope, we enjoy the blessings and effects of that turning point that happened at Jesus’ cross and tomb. We are saved and are at peace with God now, but unfortunately, we will still have to wait for the completion of that salvation at the last day. We will have to endure the difficulties of living in a sinful and fallen world. However, we have something that creation doesn’t have, God’s Spirit, that helps us endure this waiting and these circumstances.
Pray the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Pray we realize that Jesus was the first born of a new creation and that we must wait for the Spirit who helps us to endure suffering in our own rebirth. Pray we realize that were always intended to be used for a purpose by God. Pray with thanks that God in all wisdom has already foreseen what would transpire and laid plans for a wonderful solution through His Son Jesus Christ, not just for us but for all of creation. Pray we too submit to a process of planting and seeding. Pray we realize that small things can make a big impact. Pray we have faith even though we cannot see what is happening. Pray we realize that God’s creation is waiting to birth in us the hope of something new if we are willing to suffer through the solution God has purposed for us from the beginning. Pray we believe and not lose hope.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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