The story of Adam and Eve frustrates me, because the two of them make such obvious mistakes. Have they ever met this snake before? No? Then why do they just believe whatever he says? On the other hand, they are very familiar with the God who created them. He even comes to the garden in the evenings for the pleasure of their company!
And yet, they choose to go with the snake’s reading of their situation. “God is withholding good things from you,” he says. “Listen to me and you’ll get all the good things you really deserve.” And they fall for it. Ugh!
They didn’t even take the time to go back to God that evening and ask for an explanation. They could have done that, you know—said, “Lord, we met this snake, and he said things, and they’re disturbing us. Can You help us understand this?” That would have been the sensible thing to do. But no—they were in a hurry, afraid of missing out, anxious to impress a stranger. And they sinned. And we’ve been dealing with the consequences ever since.
But then the Lord came to the garden—no stranger, but their old friend who had created them and given them the garden to enjoy. And He called for them—why? Surely He knew what they had done! They had disobeyed God’s command and insulted their dearest Friend by trusting a stranger over Him. God knew that—but He still wanted them anyway.
So He set about cleaning up the mess. He heard their confession, provided Adam and Eve with clothing, and warned them of the future to come. And He did one more thing—He promised to save us from the consequences of our own sin. Not through a stranger—no, He would come Himself to be our Savior.
God came to us as one of us—Jesus, the promised Offspring of the woman, who would crush the devil’s head at the cost of His own suffering. And He kept that promise—dying on the cross to buy us back from slavery to sin and death. Now that He has risen from the dead, He shares that joyful victory with every one of us who trusts in Him. Jesus is our oldest and dearest friend—now our Savior forever.
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for being both Friend and Savior to us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever trusted someone you shouldn’t have?
2. When has a friend helped you out of a bad situation?
3. How can you tell that Jesus is a trustworthy friend?