The Power of Opposites
These two young men have placed their hands on either side of the great unconformity. In doing so, they have one hand before the Genesis Flood and one after the Genesis Flood. One hand is touching the foundation rock that represents the creative power of God who loved us enough to knit us together in our mother’s womb. The other hand is touching the first layer of sediment laid down during the flood representing the wrath of God against sin and yet the mercy of God in preserving life through Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark. What an incredible contrast! What an incredible experience to be able to physically connect with both at the same time.
We can only see mercy and justice as being opposites. One cannot have mercy upon someone and yet enact justice at the same time. Yet, this is exactly what Jesus does at the cross. Colossians 2:15 says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Ironically, the powers and authorities thought they were getting their victory in that moment. The truth is, Jesus was the victor and as a result so are we who surrender our lives to Him. Jesus united mercy and justice at the cross. In order for the two opposites to unite, a sacrifice is required. We received the mercy as Jesus received the penalty.
Long before that powerful moment took place, God united mercy and justice for our benefit. The earth was so full of sin that it grieved God. He judged the earth and poured out wrath by destroying it with a flood. However, Noah was a righteous man who walked with God. Noah was called to build an ark upon which God’s mercy was revealed as He preserved life through it. God joins these two accounts (the flood and the cross) into one purpose. In 1 Peter 3:18-22 we read these strong words. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through the water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.”
These verses just united the Genesis flood with salvation through Christ and His resurrection and His ascension. WOW!! Mercy and justice united at the same moment to bring life. The power of opposites indeed!
PRAISEALLUJIAH!
Jon
