Promises of Christ in Genesis

March 19 & 20 2025 Lent - Third Wednesday/Thursday        

Genesis 6 & 1 Peter 3:13-22

Words have power to tell stories, shape perceptions, affect the way we think and feel. I have found that the some of the most powerful words in the English language have the fewest letters. For those of us that have had the pleasure and privilege of taking care of little children, we are aware that the dynamics in the house change considerably when the child learns to say the word “no.” Two letters that inform us that the little darling has a different idea than we do. Please go pick up your toys. No. Please sit down. No. Come here. No. 

Another strong word is the word “Yes.” Usually, the word “yes” is a welcome relief to the oppositional word. Yes, conveys agreement, affirmation, possibility, a promise, a direction, a future. Please take out the garbage. Yes. Will you marry me? Yes. In the Rite of Confirmation, the question is asked of the confirmands:

Do you this day in the presence of God and of this congregation acknowledge the gifts that God gave you in your Baptism? Yes, I do.

Do you renounce the devil? Yes, I do.

The questions continue so that the confirmand makes a complete statement of faith affirming the gifts given to them in Holy Baptism and that he has every intention of continuing to be a faithful member of the Church. 

Another word that has great significance is the word “but.” The word conveys the sense of a choice, a difference, an exception. The word “but” changed the negative narrative of Genesis 6. It also conveys just how close we all were from not existing. God had already tired of His creation always saying “no” to Him and saying “yes” to their baser instincts and the suggestive whisperings of the devil. 

Genesis 6 appears to be spiraling ever more negatively as it moves along. First, men sought women only because of physical beauty. Then, the Lord chose to limit the number of years that humans may live. Then, there are the mysterious Nephilim. Whoever they were, the Bible says, “These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.” What makes for a mighty man in these days of old? Usually warriors. Violence, war, and killing, are the marks that these men left upon the world. After that we have a truly sad assessment of the state of the world. 

“⁵ The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

The Lord lived through the heartbreak of Adam and Eve’s disappointment. He no doubt wept at the murder of Abel by Abel’s very own brother. But, it just did not get better. The dark heart of man choked out the promise of light. The dark heart of man preferred to use his God endowed freedom for selfish and evil purposes that defied the possibility of saving faith in God. 

It seems to me that we were not terribly far from God declaring a divine version of “I’m done now, so are you, good night.” End of story. End of life. End of history. On the brink of annihilation, we encounter that remarkable word, “but.”   ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Here is a man of faith. God’s word declares that despite the prevailing attitudes and behaviors and mores; Noah is a man of faith. He is the exception, a truly blessed exception. The text states, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

When Noah said yes to God, when he said yes to the gift of faith endowed upon Him, God said yes to a future with the rest of us. 

Noah’s faith led him to follow the Lord’s instructions to build an ark so that God’s living creation is spared from complete destruction by water. Thus, the great flood becomes a vehicle of proclamation for God’s power to save. Water destroys, but water also gives life. Water can be a force for judgment against sin, but water in connection with God’s Word of promise becomes the way in which we are saved.  In the saving waters of Holy Baptism, the dominance of sin, death, and the devil, are swept away. The cross of Jesus Christ and his promise of resurrection life are stamped upon us. Jesus’ blood and his righteousness cover us. On account of the mercies of Christ, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. 

As we continue to reflect on the Gospel promises proclaimed in Genesis, we give thanks that Noah responded to God with faith. Noah’s faith led God to declare “but.” Noah is the exception through which we meet God’s love in Christ Jesus and His cross. Thanks be to God!