Did you know Jesus appeared in Genesis 1?
Christophanies are dramatic encounters in which the pre-incarnate Christ steps into Old Testament history.
And when he showed up, everything changed.
From the garden in Genesis to the fiery furnace of Daniel, Jesus was walking with his people.
And he’s walking with us all today.
When was the first appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament?
Would you believe that it was actually in the very first chapter?
Genesis 1 declares that God spoke the universe into existence—light sprang forth, life flourished, and the cosmos danced at His command.
We assume God the Father was the sole grand mastermind behind creation. But what if that was Jesus, too?
John peels back the metaphysical curtain for us.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)
Jesus is The Logos, the divine self-expression that ignited reality itself.
Jesus was—and is—the living power holding every molecule together.
Colossians 1:16-20 takes it even further, boldly proclaiming that all things were created by Jesus, through Jesus, and for Jesus.
The One who would be laid in a manger also molded the stars and galaxies, sculpted the mountains and deep oceans, and fashioned Adam from the dust.
Speaking of Adam, Genesis 3 tells us that God walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and searched for them when they ate the forbidden fruit.
“And they heard the voice of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8)
We often picture the Father in this moment of heartbreak. But what if that was the pre-incarnate Christ, stepping down into the world He shaped, searching for the creation He so lovingly brought to life?
Ponder that for a moment: Jesus, whose redemptive mission would be sealed on Calvary centuries later, was already walking among humankind, longing to restore a relationship with them.
CONSIDER THIS:
How does seeing Jesus' presence in this moment of heartbreak in Genesis 3 deepen your understanding of His mission to restore and redeem?
This perspective on Jesus in the Old Testament changes everything. It hints that His mission wasn’t merely a reluctant rescue plan; it was always part of the divine storyline.
God wants to be near us.
The God we meet in the Garden, the God who speaks light into darkness, the God who holds all creation in His hand—He is none other than Jesus Christ, eternally orchestrating redemption long before a single earthly tongue whispered His name.
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