Jesus, The Son Who Answered The Cry Of Creation by Larry Sparks

Day 23 of the “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)

It is common to study passages like Romans 8:19 and immediately try to decipher what they reveal about our identity as the sons and daughters of God. This season, let’s step back and instead of beginning with us, let’s start with God. Let’s start with Jesus, as He was the Son who made it possible for us to be called sons and daughter. He was born to raise the sons of Earth. Jesus’ identity as the Son of God made it possible for you and I to become sons and daughters of the Most High, operating in this identity.

I believe on the day of Jesus baptism, two realms were directly impacted: Heaven and Earth. We see that Heaven was torn open as the Spirit of God descended upon the Son of Man, but also, I believe the Earth recognized that the One had come who would set Romans 8:19 into motion. Since creation was subjected to sin in Eden, it had been tarnished. Its full beauty had been tainted. From the moment of Adam’s transgression, created order began to experience corruption because upon its very soil, sin was being committed. Rebellion took place.

This was not creation’s fault. Man, the delegated steward of the planet, is the one who ultimately gave it over to the evil one in the Garden.

But just as man subjected creation to futility, a Man would one day come to bring restoration and renewal. This was the Second Adam that Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 15:45-49.

Can you imagine creation’s anticipation when Jesus, the Second Adam, received the Holy Spirit on that glorious day? Do you know what that marked for created order? This was the moment that prophesied the inevitable and complete extinction of darkness, sin and death. After Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, He began to model the lifestyle that every son and every daughter would be able to walk in after receiving the same Spirit.

Scripture tells us that Jesus did many works and wonders—so many that all the volumes in the world could not contain them (see Jn. 21:25). Each one of these miracles actually pushed the influence of darkness back on the Earth, satisfying the eager anticipation of creation more and more. Disease was being destroyed. Demons were being cast out. Darkness was being restrained. The Kingdom of God was advancing and gaining ground.

The thing is, Jesus never meant for His ministry on Earth to conclude with Him. In the beginning of Acts, the author notes that his former account (the Gospel of Luke) recorded “all that Jesus began both to do” (Acts 1:1).

Jesus’ earthly ministry was not over after 3 ½ years. It continued on through the apostles in the Book of Acts and continues on through you and I today. As we take our place as sons and daughters of God, following the example of our Lord, our Savior, and our Model for living, Christ Jesus, we continue to answer the cry of creation.

Advent Prayer

Father, help me to take my place as Your son/daughter.

I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

I am filled with the Holy Spirit.

I am empowered to bring Your Kingdom to this world, pushing back every strategy of darkness and filling the Earth with Your glory.