How Does the Creation Point Us to Jesus?

The gospel in Creation.

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Did you know that the creation account of Genesis 1 points us forward to the gospel of Christ?

This article will explore at least one way this is true.

A Key Verse in Genesis 1.

In our rush to jump right into the days of creation after reading, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” sometimes we overlook the significance of Genesis 1:2. Here’s what it says:

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

Before God created light on Day 1, the earth existed - formless, empty, and engulfed in darkness. And then, God started creating.

The Days of Creation.

• Day 1 – Light (Genesis 1:3-5).

• Day 2 – Sky (Genesis 1:6-8).

• Day 3 – Land and Plants (Genesis 1:9-13).

• Day 4 – Sun, Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14-19).

• Day 5 – Birds and Sea Creatures (Genesis 1:20-23).

• Day 6 – Animals and Mankind (Genesis 1:24-31).

• Day 7 – Rest (Genesis 2:1-3).

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

So we have the earth without form, empty, and full of darkness. And then God created everything. And when He was finished, He said it was all “very good.” Quite the turnaround, isn’t it?

And now, let’s take that example and see how the gospel is proclaimed through the creation.

What Sin Does to Us.

When Jeremiah considered the spiritual condition of Israel and mourned what would come upon them because of their sin, he pictured their condition like the earth before creation.

I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; and the heavens, they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, and all the hills moved back and forth. I beheld, and indeed there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens had fled. I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of the LORD, by His fierce anger. (Jeremiah 4:23-26)

The nation's spiritual condition was like the earth before God started creating - without form, empty, lifeless, and engulfed by darkness.

When we sin, we become like the earth was at the beginning before God’s creation – purposeless, empty of life, and engulfed in darkness. This is true for all people (Romans 1:18-32; 2:17-29).

The apostle Paul reminds us that all are under sin (Romans 3:9-18); all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).

A New Creation in Christ.

God’s creative power is again displayed toward us in His Son – we are His “new creation” in Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15)

See the picture - the earth in Genesis 1 is without purpose, empty of life, and full of darkness. Then God creates, and there is purpose, life, and light.

When we sin, we are like the earth before creation - without purpose, lifeless, and engulfed by darkness. But in Christ Jesus - God creates again. But this time, you and I are the “new creation.”

• Although we were once empty of life in our sins, in Christ we are made alive (Ephesians 2:1-9).

• Although we were once without a purpose and failed to fulfill our purpose, in Christ we have been given purpose (Ephesians 2:10).

• Though we were once engulfed and lost in darkness, in Christ we are transferred out of the darkness and into the light (Colossians 1:12-14).

A New Home in Christ.

While Christians are God’s “new creation” here on this earth, we belong to a different country (Philippians 3:20) - we look for the eternal heavenly home (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Those who are God’s “new creation” in Christ Jesus will enjoy the blessings of a new eternal home with Him.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”(Revelation 21:1-5)

All that sin has done to this world and our lives will be undone or reversed in the “new heaven and new earth.” Sin will not be allowed in (Revelation 21:27), there will be no death (Revelation 22:2), no curse of sin (Revelation 22:3), and no separation from God (Revelation 22:4-5).

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In Genesis, God creates life and gives all life a home. The gospel of Christ tells the same story - God gives you a new life and a new home.

The gospel of Christ is God’s call to everyone today, telling us that because Jesus died in our place on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21) and was raised from the dead, we do not have to remain purposeless, empty of life, and engulfed in the darkness of sin.

In Jesus, God will give you a new life (Romans 6:3-7) and make you His “new creation” fit for the eternal home with God.