BACK TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN

 

Genesis 1:26-31; Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 6:25-30

Introduction

The Garden of Eden was not only humanity’s first home, but also a sanctuary where creation and the Creator harmonized, God’s own masterpiece of beauty, order, sustainability, and growth. Eden reminds us that creation is God’s gift and that our calling is to be faithful stewards of the environment (Gen. 2:15). 

Come, let us return to the place where God dwelt in perfect harmony with humans. Back to where Yahweh used to visit Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. Back to the place where God and man spoke to one another as a man speaks to a friend. This is what our hearts yearn for, the very atmospheric presence of our LORD, the Creator, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Beloved, the Garden of Eden was not only humanity’s first home, it was God’s masterpiece of beauty, order, and sustainability. Eden reminds us that creation is God’s gift and that our calling is to be faithful stewards. A Flower Service gives us a sacred moment to reflect on this responsibility in light of today’s environmental challenges we face such as deforestation, air and water pollution, 'galamsey', and climate change.

God’s Mandate of Stewardship

In the beginning, humanity was made in the perfect image and likeness of God, and He entrusted unto us stewardship over all creation. This was not a license to exploit but a responsibility to 'take care'. At Eden, Adam and Eve were gardeners, not destroyers. 

How can a charge to "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it" warrant the devastating spirit we exhibit today? We should be reminded that every flower, tree, air, and river reflects God’s artistry and demands our respect.

According to John Stott, “We are stewards, not exploiters, of creation.” We must understand that when we pollute rivers, litter plastics, destroy water bodies, or cut trees without planting new ones, we are disrespecting God and destroying our very existence. Stott adds, “The care of creation is the care of our neighbour. If we destroy the earth, we damage [our lives and] the lives of those around us.”

Take a moment and reflect, what small thing are you doing to keep the environment in the state of the Garden of Eden?

Observing the extent of destruction from the 'galamsey' in Ghana, silence is no longer golden before God. For the sake of our divine mandate as Christians, let us rise against the poisoning of God's creation, our environment.

The Creator who made all things perfect in Genesis, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31), comes to Revelations and says, behold, "I am making everything new!" We keep breaking God's heart as often as we keep destroying His creation.

 

Jesus Restores Creation

Sin broke that harmony, beauty, and peace God created in the beginning, and needed His re-touch. Paul draws our attention to how God chose to restore His creation in Jesus Christ. Christ's mission on earth is to reconcile all things; "visible and invisible," not just humanity. Jürgen Moltmann noted that, “The mission of Christ is cosmic in scope.” 

In Christ Jesus, the distorted image and likeness of God is restored, "The Son [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God." (Colossians 1:15) The Bible says everything; "in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" were created through Christ and for Him. 

Consider a broken vehicle. It can not move until a good mechanic repairs it. Jesus is like that Master Mechanic who is fixing not just humanity's brokenness, but the entire creation unto Himself.

When you care for the environment, you are actually in partnership with Christ Jesus’ mission on earth.

The fullness of God that was lost in the Garden of Eden is found in Christ, "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him." (Colossians 1:19). Going back to Eden is about reconciliation to our Maker's presence, "through Him (Christ) to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:20).

Beloved, just as a broken vehicle cannot fix itself, humanity cannot fix our brokenness except Christ Jesus, "For in Him all things were created." As it takes a good mechanic to restore the broken vehicle to its use, so it takes only the Good Shepherd, the only One "all things have been created through Him and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)

Come to Jesus now to be fixed for purpose, to be restored back to the Garden of Eden: Environmental witness.

Back to Eden

People of God, when we humbly allow Christ to restore us to Eden, our fears and worries cease. Jesus tells us, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25). Life worries takes center stage of our lives because we chose to remain broken by staying away from Christ.

You are so much valued before God. Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air... See how the flowers of the field grow." (Matthew 6:26, 28) He further adds, "Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26) Birds do not work, yet they feed, flowers do not worry, yet God clothes them beautifully. "will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30). You and I worth more than them before our Maker so have faith in Him.

Beloved, the environmental crises of today are not just a scientific issue; they are spiritual too. Going “Back to Eden” means choosing conservation over greed, engaging in responsible mining over reckless 'galamsey,' planting trees instead of cutting them recklessly, reducing waste, recycling/upcycling environmental waste, and teaching our children to see creation as sacred. Our reflection today must therefore inspire us into action, to bring back the Garden of Eden.

Conclusion

Beloved in Christ, the Garden of Eden is not just a story of the past but a reflection of God’s vision for the future. Life in the Garden of Eden may have been lost, but in Jesus Christ, Eden is restored. Let us understand that, until we reach the New Heaven and the New Earth, God's call on us is to be faithful stewards and gardeners of His vineyard.

Shalom aleikhem...