Such Wondrous Love

Essential 100—Read:
Genesis 3

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” ~Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3 has to be the saddest chapter in the entire Bible. Adam and Eve lived in the most amazing environment—the Garden of Eden; had everything human beings could hope for—peace, security, provision, fruitfulness, and purpose; experienced unfettered spiritual intimacy—they literally walked and talked personally with God; they were created to live eternally—they were untainted by sin, suffering, sickness and death.

But they threw it all away for the temporary pleasure of sin.  And the human race has suffered the terrible consequence ever since—the increasing breakdown of the environment, the insatiable hunger for satisfaction, separation from God and death.

Yet this also has to be the most beautiful chapter in the entire Bible, because here in Genesis 3:15 we find the first promise in Scripture of a Redeemer, a Messiah who will come and save man from his sin. Although Adam and Eve have traded their trust in God for self-rulership—a heartbreaking rejection of the Creator’s offer of unfettered relationship, endless provision and full partnership with him in ruling over his creation—he lovingly and graciously offers them a way back to restored fellowship and eternal life through this promise of a Redeemer: The woman’s offspring, who will crush Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15 is the first of many prophetic references to Jesus in the Old Testament).

When I think of how deliberate our rejection, how complete our rebellion, how despicable our sin in Adam, yet how gracious and how merciful our God is in response, I am reminded of the chorus of an old hymn we used to sing in the church where I grew up, Such Love, Such Wondrous Love:

Such love, such wondrous love,
Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

As Jean Vanier beautifully wrote, “Love is an act of endless forgiveness.” Yes, such forgiving, redeeming love; such wondrous love!

And that just about says it all, doesn’t it?

Reflect and Apply:  Genesis 3 tells the story of how Adam and Eve voluntarily entered into sin, and how Satan craftily lured them into it by his deceptive promises.  That is the way it always is with sin: It promises what it can’t deliver, then delivers consequences that rob us from God’s promise of soul satisfying provision.  Consider how sin may be tempting you away from God’s provision with deceptive promises—then make a decision to reject sin and run to God.