In the Beginning

 

 In the beginning,

God scattered the galaxies into their places like jewels on the vast, velvet carpet of space. 

He spoke and the world appeared like a glittering marble in His hand. 

He pinched the dust and the deer, antelope and the rabbit sprang forth. 

He danced across the ocean tide, and it rejoiced so greatly that the dolphin and whale sprang from the depths to join Him.

He spread His palm across the mountainside and the great forests sprouted. 

He looked upon the vast cerulean of the sky and it seemed empty, so He sketched the birds and the clouds to scamper and play across its canvas.

All this please the Lord quite well, but then He thought something more. 

Something different and quite special. 

He scooped up a handful of earth, looked at the fair countenance of His dear Son and said,

"Let's make something in Your image."

With a gentle smile He replied, "No, in Our image."

"Yes, that is good."

"But, Father, wait, if we truly make them in our image then we must give them the ability to choose.  They may choose to reject You, to reject me... and I think you see that they will."

"Indeed they will, and it will be their doom."

They both shuddered.

"Then we will not make them."

And the Father cast the clay back to the ground.

The Son looked tenderly on the lump and said,

"Wait, Father, it is odd, but already I love them.  Couldn't we make a plan whereby these fallen creatures may be restored?"

"Would You then wipe away their sins and grant them pardon?  Then what of justice?  I am a holy God, and I cannot overlook iniquity."

"Truly, Father, yet I beseech You, spare these children.  Cannot we conceive a scheme whereby Your holy justice may be satisfied, and You can forgive them?"

"I suppose that justice may be satisfied if one who had never sinned took their place and received the great fury of my wrath."

"Yes, oh yes, my Father, I knew You were gracious and kind, but tell me, who could stand in their place to atone for their sin?  I see truly that their sins will be great, rising up even to heaven."

"Their sins are great, and great must be the sacrifice to atone for them."

"Perhaps one of the angels?"

"Even all of the righteous angels could not stand to bear this horrible burden."

"What if a righteous man arose to take their place?"

"It may well be that one righteous man could stand for one wicked man, but what of the rest?  But then you know well that all men will be bound by this terrible curse of sin."

"I tremble, Father, for I know the answer now."

"My Son, it is a terrible thing, but I see how great Your love is for these creatures.  Speak now and say Your ambition."

"I will be the sacrifice.  I will make the atonement."

"My Son, You know I cannot spare or abate my wrath in any way, you must drink the cup to the dregs."

"I know, and I balk to even say it, for it is so abominable, but I will become sin.  In that becoming of sin I will receive into myself the full measure of Your fury and wrath, and I will die."

"Speak surely, for if this covenant is made there is no return and I will certainly not withhold the smallest degree of my wrath."

"Aye, Father, nor would I have You spare me in any way, for I would not have one precious soul unredeemed.  Tell me, then, should I shed my precious, sinless blood will Your justice be satisfied?"

"Should You lay Yourself upon the anvil of justice and allow the hammer of my wrath to crush You, though my heart will break, yet I would do it and justice would be satisfied."

"Then pick up that sweet clay and make a man, for though I see that dark day already, I see through that dark day a glorious, resurrection day when we will all celebrate, and feast and our joy will know no bound and our bliss will know no end."

So, God created mankind, knowing full well that we would betray Him, disobey Him, and reject Him.  With great loving-kindness He foresaw our rebellion and had a plan in place to redeem us.  "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure!"