Covered

“And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” -Genesis 3:21

It might seem like a throwaway line. A little fact at the end of a devastating statement about the brokenness that sin will bring into the world. Just a description of what happened after God spoke to Adam and his wife, in the wake of their eating the fruit and being enticed by the serpent. God acts immediately after the promise of One who will crush the head of the deceiver to start pointing to this Redeemer.

Adam and his wife, soon to be named Eve, are naked. The awareness of it reveals their sin, and God acts to cover them. To warm them and to alleviate their shame.

This is a glimpse into the promise of permanent covering to come. This covering act of God requires blood. Animals have to die to give up their skins to clothe this human couple. It is God's work. The LORD God makes the garments. He fashions them to cover our first parents. This is grace in action. This is how God works.

In Christ, we are covered in much the same way, but with eternal ramifications. The act of God to cover us took blood. His son's blood. A life of toil and obedience lived for you and an innocent death in the place of the guilty. Jesus' blood shed to cover our sin. His work. In this work, he clothes us with a robe of righteousness that he designed and weaved together. A garment of no condemnation and new life. A garment to warm us and alleviate our shame once and for all.

Now we live covered. Safe. Graced. Clothed in Christ and unashamed. That is no throwaway line. That is good news!

How Can We Not Tell?

“They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.” -Psalm 145:11–12

Psalm 145 gives a glimpse in what it means to be God's people. From generation to generation, the goodness of God is made known, parents tell children, and the message continues on just like God's faithfulness.

For those of us who believe in Jesus, this is our life. How can we not tell of the grace we have experienced in Christ? How can we not declare that forgiveness is found in this Savior and new life is his gift to us? As the year comes to an end, we can continue to reflect on how the Gospel spoke a better word into our lives these past months. God provided and revealed himself through his Word. Now we can head into the New Year determined to tell others about it.

Share Jesus with your family and friends, even with strangers, wherever you are. Speak of the glory of God's kingdom, and tell of his grace and glory for all people. You have been given a great miraculous gift. May the Lord empower you to spread it to others.