The Maker of the Heavens

{This is the second part of a twelve part series attempting to answer the question "Who is Jesus?". The song "I AM" by Mark Schultz is utilized in this series as a reference point, and the lyrics can be found in the "I AM series" post found earlier.}

The Maker of the Heavens

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Something was created out of nothing. Whether you believe that the earth and the universe exist because of the actions of a higher-powered creator, or you believe that the earth and the universe were formed by random chance, the fact that Earth contains the only known living beings in the entire universe is incredible to think about. The fact that we live on Earth, a planet so precisely fine-tuned to allow for life forms to live, grow, and flourish upon it, is amazing.

There are those that believe the Earth was created by random chance, a chance so infinitesimally small that it is truly a miracle there is an Earth at all. It's a shame that miracles reside outside of the realm of science. There are others who believe the Earth was created by a higher-power, an infinite Creator outside of our full understanding and measurement. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, there can be no universe, no earth, and no human life without God, and the Bible wastes no time mentioning that belief. Again, the first line in the Bible:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

In writing to the Romans Paul writes:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)

Paul states that God's eternal power and divine nature has been on display since the creation of the world. That is, the very earth we live on proves God's existence and some of his qualities. I'm reminded of Robin Williams's character, Adrian Cronauer, in Good Morning Vietnam saying that if you want to know what the weather is going to be like, why don't you just open a window? It's kind of like Paul is saying, you want proof that God exists, why don't you go open a window? I like to think of that verse in that way.

Several psalmists note the creative qualities of their God:

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:6-9)

Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginining you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. (Psalm 102:24-25)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- the Lord, who remains faithful forever. (Psalm 146:5-6)

By now you may be asking where Jesus is in all of this. Thus far, the Bible verses have not mentioned Jesus, but this does not mean that Jesus was not present at the creation of the world. Christians believe that Jesus was God, fully God and fully human, and that as God, he is eternal and infinite and was present during the creation of the earth. Indeed, in his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes that very thing:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible or invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

As we saw yesterday, Jesus himself stated that he existed before his time on earth when he claimed to have been around before the time of Abraham:

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

The gospel of John starts thusly:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made... He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (John 1:1-3, 10-11)

These verses display some evidence that Jesus was present during the creation of the heavens and the earth, not only that, but that when Jesus came to earth, he was not recognized or received as the Creator. It is a little amazing to believe or comprehend. Why would an all-powerful Creator wish to condescend to the level of creation? It is because God loves us as his own Children, as we will see in two more days. What good parent doesn't want what is best for the child? God came to earth to rebuke, to instruct, to show compassion, and ultimately to redeem his beloved creation. Above we saw what John wrote in the incipient stages of his gospel. Now see how that above verse finishes.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:10-13)

Will you receive Him?