Motherhood And The Gospel: A 5-Day DevotionalНамуна

The Hope of Humanity

Unless God himself intervenes on our behalf, all is lost forever. What did God do [in the garden]? He promised he would send a Deliverer. A Promised One would come, leading the way of rebellion against the fallen world order of sin. A terrible battle for the eternal souls of men would ensue, and God’s Promised One would emerge victorious. 

The hope of human history hangs on the promise that a Deliverer would come through the woman’s womb. God kept his promise. Jesus—the last Adam— prevailed over God’s enemy and is now putting the cosmos back in its rightful order. 

God did not annihilate us in the garden. Before God spoke a word of judgment to Adam and Eve, he gave them this word of life. Childbirth—new physical life—is evidence of God’s ongoing mercy to sinful humanity. Everyone who has ever been born has tasted this mercy. After the fall, when death entered into God’s creation, every soul conceived is a triumph of life despite death. The fact of life reminds us that we have Jesus, and if we have Jesus then we have hope.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some of the more common ideas and feelings concerning childbirth in your own culture?
2. Have you ever thought about childbirth as a mercy to sinful humanity?
3. Consider the fact that God sent his Son to be born of man. How does this speak to the events in the Garden of Eden?

Prayer:

God, thank you for your kindness and mercy. Thank you that you do not treat us as our sins deserve. Since the beginning, you had a plan to make provision for our rebellious hearts—sending your Son to be born of a woman: to live, die, and be raised so that we might be reconciled to you.