When God created the Garden of Eden, it was a beautiful place full of trees, plants, and animals. Adam and Eve took care of it. They walked with God and talked with God in the cool of the day. There was a companionship between God and humans.
This companionship was broken when Eve, and then Adam, ate from the tree that God had said they must not eat from. When they chose to disobey God, shame came into the world. Fear of God came into the world. Death came into the world.
It could have all ended right there, but it didn’t. God still wanted that friendship with humans, and he proves how far he is willing to go to keep that friendship alive.
God promises, even here, at the beginning of humanity, a Savior. He promised that the woman’s descendant would destroy the serpent (Satan) completely. This is the promise of the Cross of Jesus Christ, God’s own Son who died for our sins and mistakes.
The story of Eve brings sadness, if you think about what was lost. It is also a story of hope, and joy, remembering that God loves us so much that he would provide a Savior.
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for your love and the promise of a Savior, the promise that was completed with Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Because of Jesus, there is no shame or anger between you and me. I can talk with you as I talk with a friend, just like Adam and Eve did. Thank you. Amen.