Origin Story
8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said,
"The serpent tricked me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:8-13)
We like origin stories. Some of the most popular Marvel movies are not the ones where all of the superheroes join forces to defeat whoever or whatever is trying to take over, or destroy, the world. Rather, often we flock to see the stories that delve into why and how they each came to be who they are. We want to know what makes them tick, and we're curious to see how they either overcame or built upon some weakness or tragedy to become stronger than they could have imagined. That same desire and curiosity shape the origin stories of humankind as well - they seek to explain our flawed nature and provide hope in the possibility of overcoming.
The story that begins to unfold in Genesis 2 opens in the idyllic setting of a magnificent garden, lush and fertile - every living thing in harmony and order. The two human inhabitants have no need or want that isn't satisfied by their Creator, who is present and personal. The Creator had given them rules that were intended to maintain the perfection and beauty of their lives. But the Creator had also given them free will. So when another creature suggested that the Creator was keeping something from them, the humans chose to disobey the Creator's rules - disrupting the order and marring the beauty. Shame and blame became the order of the day, and humanity could no longer reside in harmony with creation or Creator. Yet, the creator remained compassionate - even making their first garments so they would not continue to live in the shame they had brought on themselves.
This origin story reminds us that, although we turned against and away from our Creator, the Creator never turned away from us. Our free will is a gift we can use to move us toward harmonious relationship with creation and Creator, or we can make choices that distort and divide. We do not, however, have to be the hero of our own story - we can not save ourselves from ourselves. While cherishing our autonomy, the Creator still desires to restore relationship with humanity. Where humanity made the choice to use free will to reject the will of our Creator, Jesus, in his free will, accepted the will of the Creator. In unmatched selflessness Jesus became the hero by laying down his will to repair the breach we continue to create. But the story is still being written. Each day, in each decision, will we walk the selfless path back to harmony and beauty that Jesus has created, or will we choose to trudge through the self-serving, self-defeating, tragedy of our origins?
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. 3 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. 5 They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138)
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