Condemnation

Adam and Eve. Ancestors to all mankind. They were made in the image of God, to live their lives in peace and comfort, given everything they needed: Food in a beautiful garden, animals that Adam himself named, companionship with each other and with God. There was no fear, no worry, no death. There was just one rule to follow: Don't eat from one specific tree. Not that hard, right? Goodness, there were most likely hundreds of trees in the garden, all different shapes and sizes, some with flowers, some with fruit. Following that rule should have been a no-brainer.

We all know how that story ends. The serpent tricks Eve, Adam follows suit, fear and shame set in, the blame game ensues, and God casts them out of Eden. Before He does so, He explains the penalty to their disobedience: Pain in childbearing and pain in working the land, with thorns and thistles being introduced to the ground. Their beautiful beginning was transformed into pain, death, and finally, dust.

No longer would they walk side-by-side with God in His garden. No longer would He delight in their company, pleased with His creation. The path He created for them was simple and beautiful. But then they decided to take a different path, a path that led to terrible consequences: Guilt, shame, separation from the closeness they felt with their God. No longer did they see a future full of joy and contentment. They were now condemned to die.

But then a new story begins. A Child is born in Bethlehem, tiny and innocent. He is the Messiah, who Himself will also be condemned to die. But His story ends differently. With His death comes life. He paid the penalty for any and every sin we have committed and will commit. He rose from the grave, so that we may live a life full of joy and contentment once again. Adam was the beginning of man, but his life and his decision was not the final call. God showed His infinite mercy in sending His Son to die for us. And Jesus rose again, so that we can once again walk side-by-side with the One who created us. 

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  Romans 3:23-24