Have you ever wondered what is going on in the heavens so far from reach?

Have you pondered what God was thinking when He spun creation into existence only to send His son to save it from the death of all mankind?

His angels must have heard so many questions. No one will ever really know all of what God must have been thinking as time keeps ticking away.

I have been imagining this very thing; would you like to join me for a moment for another story?

Somewhere, maybe beyond the galaxies as we see them now, God looks out into a black void, a black emptiness. With a sparkle of excitement in His eyes and seeing the plans of His heart, He spoke a word I am sure was filled with more love than we can ever hope to imagine. That word was followed by more words that began the first acts of creation. He then not only watched as it formed into an earth with plants and life and many galaxies with stars and moons and planets, but also, he somehow stepped down from heaven to walk amongst it. Holy Spirit hovered over the face of the ocean, and all was good; He is filled with joy as man and woman walk and talk with Him face to face.

Think of the conversation the Trinity had: “Look at them! They are made in our image. Oh, how we love them and we want them to know how we as one love each other. It is perfect, look how they play with the animals and pick flowers. They’re so happy. Oh, yes and the best part is they love us and share everything they experience with us. This will be such a fun decision we have made.”

Then something tragic happens. His good creation is tempted by a thief of light and sin. Though He of course knew it would happen, it was never part of His hopes, dreams, or dare I say plans. (Or so my little mind trying to understand a sovereign God and mankind’s free will might offer as a conclusion.)

Though I will never dare claim to know the full picture of anything, let’s just imagine it as the possibility for this brief moment. If this were true, then what happened next? We all know the story so let’s pause before God asks where they are as He walks in the garden.

God looks down from heaven as he did when He was not walking on earth and watches with tears in His eyes as Eve takes the first step of disobedience and rebellion against Him. “Can she not see she has everything she needs? She was made perfect by my own hands! How could she think she ever needed more? If she wanted more knowledge, she could have just asked me! Can’t she see that through this one act she has pleased Satan and brought shame into my perfect beautiful world?”

Then Adam follows her lead and sins; as their eyes are opened to what they have done they cover themselves and hide. Tears now streaming down his face, God watches the fear in their eyes.

“No! No, don’t hide! Please don’t run for me. I love you! Please! No. I know what I’ll do. I’ll still go down there. I will give them a chance to tell me what happened in their own way and a chance to repent.”

Yes, God did go and walk in the garden that day, giving them one more chance; in the end, after all the name calling and blame game, sin had had its full effect on God’s perfect beautiful world. Sin has consequences and is punished. This was the first heartbreak of all time. I am sure there was much weeping that day not just with Adam and Eve but in heaven as well.

God the Trinity sat up in heaven and wept. I am sure there was not one dry-faced Angel or heavenly creature in all of heaven; how could there be when they watched the very heart of God himself break.

But God! But God, full of all compassion, mercy, grace, and love had already come up with a plan.

God the father looks at Jesus and then at Holy Spirit, “so, what shall we do? Our relationship with all mankind is broken for now and the future. They will die for it too.”

Without hesitation Jesus answered, “I will die in their place. Then all mankind’s past, present and future sins will be paid for. If it pleases you Father, I will go! I am ready, as we planned from the beginning.”

God made a promise that day, that from mankind’s own descendants there would be a Savior. Through all passing time God reminded them of it through promises to specific people or prophecies told throughout the generations. God would keep His promise and redeem His creation!

If you have not read the creation story in Genesis in a while, it’s a good one; it’s a good way to prepare our heart for Easter. We should know why Jesus came to die for you.  Share in the comments what God has been teaching you around this.