THE SET UP: One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is the story of Noah’s Ark. People who have spent little time in church or read little of the Bible are often aware of Noah and his giant boat full of animals. Search Noah’s Ark on Amazon and you will find everything from toys to books to pajamas to wallpaper with the familiar image of a wooden boat with animals peeking out the windows.
But Noah’s story is troubling as well. God sees the wickedness and depravity of humanity and Genesis 6:6 says, “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.” He was going to wipe them from the earth, but Noah, “found favor with the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). So, Noah and his family, along with pairs of animals, were spared. From Noah’s family, the earth is repopulated, and God gives his promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again.
The sparing of Noah’s family not only preserved them, it preserved God’s plan and God’s promise. His promise that one day a savior would come to break the power of sin and make salvation possible.
When God rescued Noah from the flood, he also rescued Christmas. Noah had to survive in a wooden boat so Jesus could be placed in a wooden manger and die on a wooden cross to drown in the tide of God’s judgment—so we wouldn’t have to. So we too could be hidden, not in an ark, but safe in the arms of the Savior.
PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 6-7
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
· When you read that humanity’s wickedness was so great God regretted creating them, what do you picture? How do you think God views the wickedness that exists in our world today?
· How does Noah and his family being hidden away in the ark and saved give hope to you?
· Have you ever considered how events that we read about in the Old Testament are significant in God’s plan and the birth of Jesus? Think about some of the “big” stories and moments in the Old Testament (ex: David’s battle with Goliath, Esther’s heroic stand for the Jewish people, etc.) How do you think we can see Jesus’ story in those moments?
PRAYER: “God, in the same way that you made the ark a refuge for Noah and his family, I thank you that I can find my refuge in you. I know that your plan for my life will be accomplished no matter what challenges I face in this life. Help me to put my trust in you when I feel the flood waters rising all around me. You saved Noah so your promise would be fulfilled. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.”