The Rest of the Story

On the fateful day that sin entered the world, mankind lost more than our unobstructed relationship with God, we lost the ability to eat from the tree of life and live forever. Because Adam and Eve ate from the tree of Knowledge and have become like God, with knowledge of good and evil, they were not allowed to eat the fruit from the tree of life and live forever. GEN 3; 20-24

We lost our unobstructed free flowing relationship with God. That doesn’t mean that God can no longer hear us; it means we can no longer hear him. Being aware of our own shortcomings, vulnerabilities and sinfulness we sometimes hide ourselves from God. We erect barriers of unbelief, indifference, and flat out refusal to search for the truth.

But no matter what we do, God is always seeking and searching for ways to restore our relationship with Him. We read throughout the Old Testament of people who could hear God’s voice. These great prophets gave the people hope of the coming of a king.

Remember God knew, when He created mankind in his image and likeness with free will, that we would need help! Remember this is why the angel Lucifer was cast out of heaven, for he would not serve a God, who would humble Himself by being born of a woman and becoming man. The WORD made flesh in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came not only restore our relationship with God the Father but our ability to eat freely once again from the Tree of Life.

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, he tells her that she will conceive and bare a son, naming him Emmanuel.

Jesus is born in a lowly stable, completely dependent on his family for survival, like us in all things but sin.

We all have free will, including the angels. Jesus will not force us to acknowledge, follow, serve or believe in Him but will continuously call to us, inviting us into relationship.

Jesus lived 30 years, before He started His public ministry. Immediately, after being baptized in the Jordan by His cousin John the Baptist, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days. Scripture tells us that when Jesus was at His weakest point, satan tempts and taunts Him.

His restorative nature starts immediately, while at the Wedding of Cana, running out of wine, Mary, distraught, goes to Jesus, telling Him. Jesus says, “My hour has not yet come.” Not being put off, Mary tells the servants to do whatever He tells them and walks free. We know that Jesus turns the water into wine, not just any wine but the finest wine.

For three years, Jesus teaches all who will listen. Curing the people from their physical ailments. Forgiving their sins and driving out demons. Calling them into relationship and loving them. Loving so much, He weeps over the death of Lazarus, petitioning the Father and raising him from the dead.

Riding into Jerusalem, hailed by all, a King, with full knowledge of the cost of restoring mankind’s unobstructed relationship and eternal life.

Sitting down at table. Taking the bread, breaking it, says, “This is my body, which will be given up for you.” Raising the chalice says, “This is my blood, the blood of the new covenant.”

Praying in the Garden he petitions his Father, if possible, let this cup pass me by. Our Lord, in His humanness, knows this is going to be hard and painful.

He is betrayed, beaten, crowned and crucified to restore our unobstructed relationship with Him and our eternal life.

Before the world was created, God set all this in motion, so that we could freely choose to be in relationship with him, knowing that we would be constantly tempted by satan using our human weakness, greed and pride to reject this relationship.

Daily, Our Lord feeds us with His body and blood in the Eucharist. He is the Tree of Life talked about in the Garden of Eden. Receiving the Eucharist as often as possible provides a deep abiding relationship with him and prepares us for eternal life.

Praying that all will come to receive Him.

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