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BEAUTIFUL
SAVIOR:
By
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson, Ph.D.
MARTIN
CHEMNITZ PRESS
A MIGHTY FORTRESS LUTHERAN CHURCH
6421 W. Poinsettia Drive
602-334-8014; chemnitz@bigplanet.com
Introduction
The purpose of this series is to present the Biblical teaching about Jesus, to encourage students of all ages to open their Bibles and learn even more. Each lesson will be numbered. Eventually the series will be available in a booklet or book, perhaps as files on the Internet as well.
We could start with the Virgin Birth of Jesus, but that would not be the very beginning. The Holy Trinity is one God, yet Three Persons. The Son of God is one Person in the Trinity. He has always existed, but at one point in time He became a human being, born of Mary.
How early can we talk about Jesus and our world? He was there at the Creation of the universe. He was the Word of God, commanding the creation of our earth, the stars and sun, the planets and moons, all wildlife and plants, all sea creatures, and the first man Adam.
Two books of the Bible start with the same words: “In the beginning…” Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 open with the same words. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus was the creating Word of Genesis.
John 1:1 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 by 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
Have you ever heard a giant church bell tolling? Each ring has a majestic sound. The first verse of John reminds many people of a cathedral bell, ringing “The Word…The Word…The Word.” That is not an accident. Whenever the Bible teaches us about God, the Scriptures use groups of three or repetitions of three.
Notice how the first book of the Bible teaches us about Creation.
Genesis 1:1 In
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without
form, and void; and darkness was upon
the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
“And God said.” That
was the Word of God, the Son of God. The Word created all things that exist.
Nothing was made apart from Him. Everything we see has come from Jesus, the Son
of God. All human life. All minerals. All plants and animals. Wherever we look,
we see the work of Christ. That is why all of Creation acknowledges Him as
Lord.
When we have doubts, we have to remember, “Jesus is my Savior. He created
the universe. Nothing is too difficult for Him to do.” We have doubts and fears
because our faith in weak. When we pray to Him and see how He answers our
prayers, our faith is strengthened.
Look up Hymn #657 in The Lutheran
Hymnal, “Beautiful Savior.” Notice how the words are filled with praise for
Jesus as the King of Creation. What other hymns also teach us about Jesus as
the creating Word? Some will be listed in the next lesson.
Walk around outside, if possible. Look at how all of Creation works
together. Compare that to how a family tries to get ready for church or a
sports event. God’s Creation is full of order and runs by itself. Our world,
because of sin, is full of conflict an problems. Some aspects of Creation to
observe:
1.
Birds and
migration.
2. Insects being born when baby birds need them.
3. Earthworms preparing the soil for our plants.
4. The moon affecting the tides, sealife, and our food supply.
5. Weather and animals, such as winter hibernation in cold areas.
6. Snow protecting, yes protecting, plants from frost.
What places in the Bible speak about Creation and Jesus?
Next week: The very first promise – The First Gospel in Genesis 3:15.