In the Beginning – Day 1

His Whisperings Posted on by
Day 1

The First Day

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” At first glance this seems like an introductory statement to the creation story, but the book of Genesis continues to describe this initial stage of creation. Everything was darkness and void, and God’s spirit hovered over the waters.

We tend to jump past these first two verses and say that light was the first thing God created. But before he created the light he created the deep water mass that was darkness and void, the substance that he used as his first ingredients in his creation of the heavens and the earth.

In Genesis 1:2 God hovered over the waters he had created, the surface of the deep. Whatever this first mass was, it had depth though it was also described as formless and empty.

In verse 3 God said “Let there be light,” and the first light appeared. Then God separated the light from the darkness and called the light day and the darkness night. This became the first day.

Are verses 1 and 2 considered part of the first day? Or did God simply start counting time when he created light and called it the first day? I don’t know the answer, nor do I plan to lose any sleep over this, I simply like to look at the whole picture when I am looking at scripture.

Some people stumble over the idea that God created light before he created the sun. This doesn’t bother me. Light is made of light waves. We have many sources of light today – from light bulbs of many kinds to the glow that is emitted from fire or other very hot objects. Light is a kind of energy. Our sun is the primary source of light on the Earth, but it is a very small star among all the stars in the universe. We only know that God created enough light to get things going on that first day.

I like to comment on the phrase “God said, ‘let there be …’ ” I don’t know how many people claim to understand Einstein’s theory of relativity, E = mc2, I don’t have a clear grasp of it myself. But I do understand about math formulas. Everything on the right of the equals sign must be equal to everything on the left. The big E in the formula stands for energy. The “m c squared” on the right stand for mass times the speed of light squared.

OK, I agree, that is mind boggling. But if he was right when he created this formula, in my way of thinking, he explained how God spoke things into existence. The big E is the energy that came out of God’s being when he “spoke” or exhaled it to the other side of the equation where it became the mass and motion that made up everything in our universe.

Don’t worry if that goes over your head. I just find it an exciting idea that scientists might have explained how God spoke things into existence. I don’t think the cave men knew about Einstein’s theory either. Some scientists seem to think the book of Genesis was written by cave men telling stories around campfires.

I’ve wandered all over the place describing the first five verses of Genesis. I hope I have said things that will increase your faith in the Genesis account. The most important verse of all is probably the first verse. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Look for activities to accompany the days of creation at this link.

The Creation, a Bible storybook for children by Janice D. Green

 

 

The Empty Tomb

His Whisperings Posted on by

Three grieving but faithful women approached the tomb on the first day of the week. As they neared the tomb they began to discuss how they might be able to roll the heavy stone away from the entrance to the tomb so they could put the herbs and spices they had carried on Jesus’ body to preserve it.

Can you smell the herbs? Did the women hear the birds singing, or were they too deep in their grief to notice? Can you feel the women’s surprise when they discovered the stone had already been rolled away from the tomb? Where was Jesus’ body?

“He is not here; he is risen from the dead!” Their surprise must have been almost beyond belief. The news was beyond their wildest imaginings. Feel their excitement and their joy.

Enjoy “Was it a Morning Like This” by Sandi Patty.

 

The Creation by Janice D. Green

What’s good about Good Friday?

His Whisperings Posted on by

How is it that we remember Jesus’ death on a cross as Good Friday? Many children ask this question every year. I remember wondering about it as well.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his twelve closest friends, and the rest of them deserted him when he was arrested. He was crucified because the chief priests were jealous of him.

He was ridiculed and spit upon, and whipped with spiked straps designed to rip his skin open. Everything about the crucifixion was designed to be the most cruel form of death the Roman world could think of. Yet we dare call it good.

When they tried to take his life he gave it freely, he did not resist.

Jesus took their attempt to end his life and turned it into a sacrifice that gives us eternal life.

What men did in hate, Jesus returned with the greatest love and forgiveness man has ever known.

Listen to Sandi Patty’s Via Doloroso.

Dare to consider the cost Christ paid for our salvation, but remember – It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. (powerful video – not for the squeamish)

Sunday is coming, and Jesus loved us too much to stay dead!

 

The Creation by Janice D. Green

Dirty Feet

His Whisperings Posted on by

Jesus washed the Disciples' dirty feet.The scene is the last supper Jesus eats with his disciples. Jesus got up from the meal, removed his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist. He poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples feet.

In Bible times the average person wore sandals or went barefoot. The roads were dusty and feet were generally pretty dirty. Often a servant would be assigned footwashing duty if a man were to invite guests over for a meal.

Prior to eating the meal, the disciples had been debating among themselves over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet Jesus, their leader, their master, washed their feet. When Peter resisted, Jesus told him that unless he allow Jesus to wash his feet he could have no part with him. Jesus was demonstrating in a very personal way that the role of a follower of Christ is to serve others, not to seek to be served.

Let’s fast-forward into the present day. We generally wear shoes and socks. Even in the summertime when we may wear sandals, our feet aren’t likely to be as dirty as the feet of the disciples. Their roads were dusty. We ride in cars and walk on sidewalks or grass if we go outside. Our neatly manicured toenails are a far cry from the dirty grimy feet of men who have walked from one city to another to arrive in Jerusalem for the Passover meal.

So how do we imitate Jesus as servant in our present day situations. Jesus lovingly cleaned up the dirtiest part of those he was with. He made them more presentable. There is no indication that he scolded anyone for having dirty feet. How can we lovingly serve one another to help them be more presentable to the world?

Do “dirty” people come into our fellowship from time to time? Do we find loving ways to help them become more presentable, or do we shun them and hope they don’t come back? Life causes dirt to happen. Our youth face so many temptations in school. They may often need a lift by a caring and understanding friend when they have stepped over the line. Let us keep Jesus’ example of washing dirty feet before us that we may better understand the role of a servant – the role we claim to follow.

Love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Here is a link to an excellent family activity on foot-washing.

The Creation by Janice D. Green

Nicodemus – Cowardly or Courageous?

His Whisperings Posted on by

Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Many use this scripture to describe Nicodemus as a coward. True, fear probably had everything to do with his decision to seek out Jesus in the cover of night.

But Nicodemus wasn’t an average citizen, he was a Pharisee. His co-workers and friends were Pharisees, and the Pharisees were rapidly turning against Jesus and looking to find a way to have him killed.

The fact that Nicodemus, in spite of all of this opposition to Jesus, still made the choice to seek him out should stand out as an act of courage, even if he went in secret. In countries around the world where Christians are persecuted, many Christians meet to worship in secret. These brave souls could hardly be described as cowards. Indeed, their efforts to gather in Christ’s name should be recognized as valiant.

How strong is your faith? Only a spiritual ostrich is unable to recognize the growing animosity against the Christian faith, even in the USA today. Years ago prayer was outlawed in schools. Gideons who used to pass out New Testament Bibles to fifth grade students are now forbidden to do so. New laws are being introduced every year which restrict what Christians can say and do in public places.

Will you have the courage to support your convictions when opposition comes to your doorstep, or will you cave under pressure? Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran is a great example to Christians around the world of courage against persecution. It upsets Christians to hear of other Christians who are being persecuted, and indeed we must pray for them and do what we can to help. But we must also remember that it was the persecution of Christians that caused Christianity to spread in Bible times. The same thing is happening today. Christianity is growing rapidly in the countries were Christians are being persecuted the most. This persecution gives the Christians the opportunity to prove their faith in powerful ways.

Father God, give me a faith that is real, strong, and true. May I never buckle under pressure and deny that I know you.