Read Genesis 1
Highlights:
God said. . . . And God saw. . . . And God made; clearly describing creation — and where it all began. In chapter three we are introduced to Satan, the instigator of all evil.
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen. 1:26).
What a powerful word one pronoun can be. The word “Us” in this Scripture gives us a reference in the Word of God to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The first scriptural evidence of the preexisting Christ is found in this chapter (see also John 1:1).
Of course, this is only one of many verses that point us ahead thousands of years to the earthly coming of Jesus, the second person of the Godhead. We will see many Old Testament references to the coming King of kings. As a matter of fact, there are thousands of Messianic promises to be found in the Word of God.
Christ is mentioned to us right after the fall into sin of Adam and Eve. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen. 3:15). This shows that God is in control and is the first promise of Christ coming and being victorious over the devil.
We later find verses that speak of the death of Jesus on Calvary's cross. He keepeth all His bones: not one of them is broken (Ps. 34:20). This of course gives reference to the fact that He had no bones broken on the cross. It was customary to break the legs during crucifixion to speed up the process of death. This was not done to Christ. When they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs (John 19:33).
The Bible is clear on the fact that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, has always been just like His Father. As a matter of fact, the Scripture says it was through Christ that all creation was manifested. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made (1:1-3).
Isn't it wonderful to know that our Savior is eternal just like His Father? It is Christ with whom we identify with God. He reveals God the Father to us through the interpersonal relationship we have with Him. Jesus even said Himself: he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (14:9).
God reveals His love to us in the gift of His Son, Jesus. Jesus gives Himself totally to us to pay our sin debt. This beautiful plan was decided before man was even made. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law (Gal. 4:4-5).
Thought for Today:
Obeying His Word always brings an abundant life.
Christ Revealed:
As Creator (Gen. 1:1; comp. John 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 11:3). As the Seed of woman (Gen. 3:15; Is. 7:14; 9:6-7). God sent forth His Son, made of a woman (Gal. 4:4).
Word Studies:
1:29 meat = food in general; 2:10 heads = branches, rivers; 2:14 Hiddekel = Tigris; 2:24 cleave = cling; 3:1 subtil = shrewd, crafty, sly; 3:13 beguiled = deceived, seduced, led astray; 3:15 it = her Seed (Jesus Christ); bruise = wound.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • Staff: Jennifer Palafox • Government Officials: Rep. Terri A. Sewell (AL), Rep. John Sullivan (OK), and Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ) • Country: Madagascar (15 million) an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique • Major languages: French and Malagasy • Increasingly anti-Christian • 43% witchcraft,ancestor worship, and some astrology; 21% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 2% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Trust that God will provide your needs when you put His will first in your life (Matt. 6:31-33).
Optional Reading:
Matthew 1
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Matthew 4:4