forgiveness

Genesis 3:21 says:

The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

Adam and eve have fallen. They have sinned and fallen into temptation and now were facing the consequences of this, which were great indeed. The cost of this sin was a curse upon them and all that followed them, and so because of this their relationship with God was to never be the same again.

Yet, at this moment in the narrative we are told something astonishing.

He covered them.

This points us to a truth about the relationship God offers us today through Jesus Christ.

When we are tempted and fall into sin, when we feel the sharp pain of the curse, God still extends a way for us to be covered. Instead of shame, He covers us with His love and forgiveness. He doesn’t leave you hanging, left to work it out on your own. No! He provides a way that in your sin you can yet be covered. Wow!

God in the garden covered Adam and Eve with garments made from animal skins. In other words, something had to die for Adam and Eve to be covered.

So too, in Jesus there had be a death in order for us to be covered. Even though God extends His offer of grace, forgiveness and mercy in light of our fallenness and sinfulness, He also reveals to us that there is a price to pay for it.

In the case of Adam and Eve, it was the death of the animals. In the case of you and me, it is the death of Jesus. Justice is served, our sin and shame is covered and taken away, and our relationship with the Father is restored.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for your covering over me. I thank you that instead of my death that my sin deserved, you gave your Son to pay that price in my place. Father God, I thank you. I want to express my gratitude to you. I ask for your forgiveness. I receive your love for me. I cast off condemnation and commit to following you today. Amen.