Creation Freed

The last stars winked out. The sun rose, as it had countless mornings before. The oxygenated atmosphere glowed blue, and the clouds pink and yellow. Birds chirped and warbled to greet the day as the insects fell silent. But this morning was different from the others. It wasn’t the smell of the air, the dew on the grass. These were unchanged. But the burden was gone, and creation was free. It had been shackled, oppressed by the sinfulness of humanity. Cruel acts, brutal murders, hate like a rancid fog had shrouded every sunny morning. Death and despair like filthy smog. The empire of human depravity and mortality had lingered too long on the temple-planet made for righteousness and love. But today it was gone, and all traces of it burned away. The King had returned, the one whose power knew no limits and whose body was made from the dust itself. He had thrown off the chains Himself—through His death and resurrection. Earth had given back the bodies of His people, held so long in death. The King’s people would die no longer, and instead of confusion, anger, and loneliness, they would feel only love, joy, and peace. They would reign over the new heavens and earth with the King forever. Yes, creation was free. Free to grow and thrive without being crushed by the weight of fear and violence. Free to produce dazzling sunsets without being seen only by starving desperation. Free to be covered with white snow but not freeze sons and daughters to death. Free to produce metals and ores without them being turned into weapons. Free from the pollution of death and evil. Free to be a home for the King’s people to love each other and Him. Forever. • Kevin Zeller • In what ways do you see creation groaning under the burden of sin and death? • Reread today’s verses. How does Jesus bring redemption to creation? That the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. Romans 8:21 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Romans 8:19-21; 2 Peter 3:1-13