Jesus as Creator

Overview:

            Almost every ethnic group in the world has a creation story, and a divine creator – this is in itself an interesting point – perhaps one that is an echo of the reality of what occurs in Genesis 1. However, the truth that binds Jesus’ claim to divinity, and therefore holding supreme authority here on Earth, was that he was part of the ‘Creator God’. The truth of this matter is of extreme significance for the Christian. Without Jesus being creator, as part of the Godhead, His ability to act outside of the natural laws of this world would be nothing – His resurrection would never have happened, our future hope of eternal life and the redemption of our sins would not exist.

John 8:58-59 - Jesus declared himself as ‘Creator’, as being part of the Godhead by saying that he was before Abraham as the ‘I AM’! It echoes God informing Moses that His name was ‘I AM’. 

            In his gospel, John clearly articulates the notion that Jesus was not only present with God, at the beginning of time, but was also God, and that he created everything. What is of particular note, is that in the Genesis 1 account of the creation of the universe, God spoke it into existence with – and here John is saying that Jesus is the ‘Word’ of God.

John 1:1-5 – 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 nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Paul followed John’s understanding that Jesus was the ‘Creator’ near the beginning of his letter to the church in Colossae. What is of note with Paul’s description of Jesus’ role as ‘Creator’ is that he extends it out to both the spiritual and physical realms. It is a recurring theme with the Apostle Paul, who again mentions it in his letters to the churches in Rome, and Ephesus.

Colossians 1:15-17 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

The author of the Book of Hebrews presents an account of how Jesus, whom God used to create the universe, is able to forgive our sins, because of this authority that he has been given by the Heavenly Father.

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Because He was the ‘Creator’, and all things are held together by Him – Jesus had the power to change the natural world with just his ‘word’. There are a great number of examples of Jesus counteracting natural (even scientific) laws, in order to show His authority, and to provide for people. Examples include (but are not limited to) the following:

¨     Cursing the fig tree: Jesus cursed a fig tree for not producing fruit. He just used a verbal curse, and the fig tree withered – as can be seen in Matthew 21:20-22. A secondary, more symbolic meaning of this instance, is that the ‘fig tree’ spiritually represents Israel (or God’s people), and that he will curse them if they do not bear fruit.

¨     Calming the storm: In the middle of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, a great storm rose up, and was threatening to swamp the boat Jesus and the disciples were in. In response to his disciple’s lack of faith Jesus exerts His authority over creation, and the wind and waves obeyed His verbal command – in Mark 4:35-41.

¨     Feeding the crowds: In both Matthew 14 and Mark 8, in two separate occasions, Jesus feeds a great multitude of people by replicating only a few loaves and fish.

¨     Walking on water: Not long after feeding the 5,000, Jesus meets his disciples who were struggling across the Sea of Galilee during the night in rough weather – He appears to them as he is walking on the surface of the water. There are scientific principles that apply to large objects being able to float/walk/stand on water – and Jesus, who created those natural laws, was able to defy them in order to meet his disciples at a time of need.

¨    ¨     Resurrection of the dead: Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but during his years of ministry he brought many back to life. The most well know examples are:

A)    The Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-17)

B)   Jairus’ Daughter (Luke 8:49-56)

C)   Lazarus (John 11:1-44)

D)   The hundreds of godly people in Jerusalem’s graves after his death (Matthew 27:50-54)

The culmination of Jesus as ‘Creator’ will come when he returns to Earth, to rule and eventually creates a ‘new heaven and a new earth’ as revealed in Revelations 21:1-6a…”Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

What was begun by those who existed before time, will be completed by those who existed before time – the only difference is that we, the believers and followers of Jesus the Messiah will be there when it happens. Jesus will restore what our sinful pride has destroyed. The relationship that existed in Eden, will be restored. Jesus truly is the ‘Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end’…

Part 5: His Foreshadowing in the Old Testament