Jesus at the Beginning
Understanding that Jesus was present in the creation gives us a new outlook on the account of Genesis and God’s redemptive plan all the way from the beginning. Paul affirms this by illustrating that all things have been made by Him and through Him.
Colossians 1:15-17 NIV
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The Creation
Genesis 1:1-4 NIV
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Even in the very beginning of Genesis we see numerous clues hinting at the appearance of Christ. Creation begins with the manifestation of light and the distinction of both light and darkness. Jesus refers to Himself as the light of the world, the very light that calls men out of darkness.
John 8:12 NIV
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Light
Earlier in the book of John, Christ is also alluded to as the Word of God that brings light to all men.
John 1:1-5 NIV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Further in Genesis we see the “Great lights” known as the sun, moon, and stars placed within the firmament of the sky. Each one of these lights placed within the firmament plays a crucial role in understanding and identifying the Messiah. Malachi hints at none other than the person of Christ as the “Sun of Righteousness.”
Malachi 4:2 NIV
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
The Magi of the book of Matthew are found heralding the birth of the Messiah by following the star that led to Jesus in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1-2 NIV
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
We also see Jesus depicted as the “bright and morning star” in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 22:16 NIV
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Lastly we see more of the revelation of John referring to Jesus as the “lamp” shining as the Glory of God revealed to the New Jerusalem known as the bride of Christ. Showing God’s people coming back into the fullness of the light first seen in Genesis 1.
Revelation 21:23 NIV
23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Through this understanding we begin to see the creation story unfold in more ways than one. As He not only assisted in the creation of the world but revealed Himself as the spiritual interpretation of the light of God that shines and illuminates the hearts of all His children.
Keywords:
Creation
The Creation
Genesis Creation
Genesis
Genesis 1
The beginning
Creation Story
In the beginning