Love Is A Verb

Christ In Creation

John 1:1–3 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn’t been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

Mark’s schoolteacher had not noticed him particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, she later found) to help her straighten up the room. They did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When they did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. His teacher looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, she stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped her in the room. She told him how she had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, “Did you really miss me?”

Mark’s teacher explained how he had been her best helper. “I was making you a surprise,” he whispered confidentially. “It’s for Christmas.” With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn’t stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. “I have your present,” he said timidly when his teacher looked up. “I hope you like it.” He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

“Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked opening the top to look inside.

“Oh you can’t see what’s in it,” he replied, “and you can’t touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you’re all alone.”

I gazed into the empty box. “What is it Mark,” I asked gently, “that will make me feel so good?”

“It’s love,” he whispered softly, “and mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” And he turned and quietly left the room.

The Apostle John begins his gospel account with these words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.” John clearly shows our Lord not only present during the Creation Event; but, instrumental in the narrative. If John placed this much emphasis on Christ in creation, we should have a look through the lens of John’s perspective as well.

Genesis 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 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.

So, we see God in verse 1 and His Spirit in verse 2; but, where is Christ? According to John, He was present during all of this and was at work during this event. Ok, let’s strengthen our theological muscles a bit this morning. Perhaps you have made the assumption that Moses was indicating God the Father in the opening of Genesis; however, it is possible that we are reading about God the Son at work here. How can you say that, Pastor? Well, I’ll tell you how. First, we have already read what John wrote in the first verses of his gospel account. He goes on to say in verse 18 of the first chapter “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Jesus himself affirms this with these words from John 6:46 “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.” Common sense asks the question then If no man has seen the Father, who did Adam gaze upon when he opened his eyes for the first time. He saw Christ our Lord. Paul echoes this in Colossians 1:15-16. “ who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth,”.

We can be certain that Christ was present and at work during creation. Now jump with me to Genesis 2:7 for a moment. What do you see here?

Genesis 2:7 ESV

then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

1. Man is formed. We know from previous verses that Adam was created in the image and likeness of God, none of the created order is the image bearer of God except man. You and I have the same distinction today, to present a Holy God to an unholy world. You bear His image, you wave His banner, you proclaim His Word to the world. Or you don’t; but, you are bearing “an image”, you are waving “a banner”, you are proclaiming “a word” to the world.

2. Man is filled. Adam was filled with the breath of God which was life. When we trust Christ, we are filled with the breath of new life which is the Holy Spirit. He places within us a part of Himself and thusly welcomes us into the family of God.

3. Man is flourished. Our text says that man became a living soul. Adam had received something unique and distinct. It separated him from the entirety of creation. You and I have also received something unique and distinct. It does not make us better, it separates us from those around us.

You were formed with purpose for a purpose. If you are a Christ follower, you were filled with the most intimate essence of God, so that you can flourish and live an abundant life in Christ. Why? Because you are loved beyond measure by your Heavenly Father. The Bible tells us that He knows the plans He has for us, plans for hope and a future. You were so loved from the foundations of the world.

Zig Ziglar once compared us to the priceless masterpieces painted by DaVinci or Michelangelo. And Zig said, “I am roughly familiar with the price of the canvass and the paints. In and of themselves, they are not worth much at all. No -- The value of the painting comes from the touch of the Master’s Hand.”