Lesson 9: The Results of the Gospel
Questions 5 and 6
I want to give you an illustration of this very thing:
You’ll recall that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and that their sin broke the fellowship that they had with God. God had said the day Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit they would die as punishment.
Adam and Eve did experience many consequences of their sin, but notice this:
Genesis 3:21 ESV And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
God did not put to death His children. Instead of instant death, God chose to put to death a substitute in their place (probably a lamb, bull or a goat), and then He clothed them in the garments of the skin of the animal. God loved His children and showed them mercy.
God’s act of putting to death an animal restored fellowship between God and His children. When He looked at them clothed in the sacrifice He made, God remembered that death and that the shedding of blood had happened making His people fit for His presence. Their relationship was restored.
Imagine the scene for a moment: Adam and Eve had sinned, were guilty, and knew their punishment meant death. They were afraid, had gone into hiding, and were trying to do all they could to cover up their nakedness.
And then God came. They probably knew that their lame excuses, their blame-shifting, their attempts to cover up their wrong wouldn’t work with God. They had sinned against light and knowledge. They had willingly disobeyed. They had ruined it all, and now waited for God to come find them and take their lives.
And come He did. But He did not come to kill them, but rather to clothe them.
Rob says, “Oh the joy that floods through my heart right now as I consider the love God had for them.”
In love, God diverted His wrath to an innocent substitute. Did they watch as God raised the lamb’s neck and slit it open, draining the life’s blood from the animal? Did they watch the life flow out, knowing that should have been their punishment?
Now picture in your mind a most intimate scene:
God, having removed the skins of the animal, drew His children close to Him, and carefully placed those skins on them, one by one.
What awe! What wonder! Did they feel His love in what was happening as He drew them near? As He used His bloody hands to cover their nakedness with the sacrifice? Did they sense they were forgiven and accepted by God? Did they consider the cost, the death and blood, the sacrifice, and wonder at the lengths God went to save them?
The above picture came from the Creation Museum located in Petersburg, KY. Notice that Adam and Eve are clothed by the sacrifice that God provided.
Question 5. How does the above story illustrate how God has removed your spirit of despair and clothed you with the garments of salvation? What are your thoughts?
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Tori writes, "It shows that in all my mistakes, instead of throwing me away, God clothed me instead. He drew me near to him, he gave it all for me. Who am I to be loved by God? Who am I for God his son to die for me? How he could exchange someone so glorified, someone that is His son and has the deepest relationship with him for me? No one in this world would make a sacrifice like this for me? But God did. I still can’t fathom it but I am thankful. It makes me feel loved and like I’m worth more than I think. That God is telling me that I am His and that he loves me and cares for me and that I am special to him. All this because of Jesus. Thank you God!"
Harris writes, "The father sacrifices His Son and with His cloths of righteousness clothed me. He clothed me with Christ Himself."
Tami shares : "IT [the picture of the sacrificial lamb on the altar] is a very visual physical picture of what what he does for us spiritually.... and emotionally. I like that the verse is stated as a fact that HAS happened. It is done, complete. It’s not something that might happen or will happen in the future. It is also something that is not dependent on anything WE have to do. Now, to understand and live in that place, instead of despair. I’m beginning to see how this is possible— by focusing on Christ over my circumstances...."
Tori writes, "Jesus thank you! I can’t thank you enough! May my life be a pouring out of gratefulness to you and may I not forget your benefits! You deserve all the honor in the world! Thank you for hope, a chance, a relationship, love and all the goodness you’ve given me."
This is the main story of the Bible, dear friend. God looked down on a disobedient world; a world trapped in sin and rebellion, a world of people with a spirit of despair. And God had compassion.
Unlike in the account of Adam and Eve, where God slew a sacrifice in their place, now, in the main story of the Bible, God Himself becomes the sacrifice. When John the Baptist saw Jesus for the first time he said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NIV).
And why did Jesus do this?
To take your sin and give you His righteousness.
To take your crown of thorns and give you a crown of beauty.
To take your spirit of despair and replace it with the garments of salvation, the garments of praise.
You know if you had been Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden the day God put to death the animal substitute for them, and had realized that your sins were forgiven and that you were now clothed in the garments of the sacrifice, wouldn’t you praise God? Wouldn’t you thank Him?
How about you right now; knowing the lengths Jesus went to save you, to minister to your heart, to exchange crowns with you and to provide you with the garments of salvation?
I’ve often times just erupted in praise and thanksgiving to God for what He has done for me, especially for sending Jesus into the darkness to rescue me. I’ve sometimes shouted “Thank you Jesus!” and “I praise You Jesus!”
Question 6. Would you like to thank God right now for sending His Son to the cross for you, showing that you are now wearing the “garments of praise?” Write out what you want to say to Him:
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Harris writes, "Father I am so grateful to you for such a love and such a mercy heart you shown to me. Thank you that you love me that much that you gave your Son to be stripped from His clothes from His righteousness and took the crown of thorns that was mine. And you gave me a garment of praise and of righteousness that I do not deserve. Thank you that now i am clothed with you. You are my hero. Amen"
Marie-Louise shares: "Thank Jesus for what you have done for me! Actually, all my words fall short which I want to use to thank you. I can only stand with my hands up and say how grateful I am that you have given your life for me. That my sins are forgiven. That you have given this most precious gift to me. Then you really have to love me very much to do this. Sometimes I do not want to contain it anymore than I do now. I thank you for this intense, beautiful sacrifice! But that you are really stronger than all the other forces around me. Thank you for being, besides an example, also my leader and my best friend!"
Iris writes: "Jesus. Thank you. You are my hosea, my savior. Jesus. You are the sweetest friend. The kindest brother.
You didn't have to. You had legions of angels that you could have called on and they would have rescued you from the darkness.
Your love was greater than fear. Your perfect love for me drove out the fear of the cross, of death, of the wrath of your father. So you went through with it.
God you had it all planned. Gave your son. How awful that must have been. To see him bleed out on the cross. And to turn your back on him. But you loved me so much. So you did it.
I want to praise you. No one has ever showed me love like yours. I want to wear the clothes you have made for me. Of praise and salvation and joy. I want you to clothe me with Jesus day by day. I can't wait to see you. You are so beautiful, dad.
Thank you thank you thank you!"