Day 8. THE ARK OF JESUS CHRIST

Genesis 7:1 - Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this ^[a]time.

Acts 16:31 - They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Sometimes God painted with a wide brush stroke as He permitted history to unfold according to his will. Consider Noah. The parallels between the account of the flood of Noah and salvation in Jesus Christ are quite interesting.

MAN’S CORRUPTION

In Genesis 6:11-12 we see that mankind was “corrupt” and the earth “filled with violence.”

Genesis 6:5 tells us that “the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

The sinful nature of man was not changed by the Judgment of God. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Paul goes so far as to say that before Christ “You were dead in your trespasses and sins” in Ephesians 2:1. We are no better in our own nature today than in the days before Noah’s Flood.

COMING JUDGMENT                                           

In Genesis 6:13 God tells Noah of the coming judgment on sinful mankind. Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

God warns us of a coming judgment after the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 4:17. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” The reality of judgment is throughout the New Testament. Consider John 12:31 where Jesus says "now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”

GOD’S COVENANT

Genesis 6:18 shows us two important aspects of God’s favor on Noah. First, God made a covenant. This means God made an unconditional agreement with Noah. He would provide a way for Noah to be saved from His judgment. Genesis 6:18 tells us that God told Noah “I will establish my covenant with you.”

In Jeremiah 31:31-35 we learn that God is going to make a new covenant with man. In Jesus explained to his own disciples while celebrating the Passover Meal in Luke 22:20 that “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” The unconditional agreement with man for salvation would only be available through the blood that Jesus shed for the payment of our sin.

THE ARK OF MAN’S SALVATION

In Genesis 6:18 God demonstrates His grace on Noah when He says, “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.”

This offer for temporal salvation is a glimpse of what is to come thousands of years later. The offer was made to a Jailer in the city of Philippi when Paul and Silas told him “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” For the jailer and his family, the offer wasn’t just to live through a flood, but to live through the judgment of God, offering eternal life in the place of the due penalty that every man deserves for sin, eternal death. This offer is only available for those who are found in Christ Jesus. Jesus took our place by dying on the cross so we may obtain salvation by the grace of God through an continuing faith in Jesus.

Consider HOW BIG OF A DEAL the new covenant made through the blood of Jesus is for you, me, and every other human being on this earth. Only those who enter the “ARK” of Jesus Christ will be save from the judgment to come. Pray that the Lord gives you a desire to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone you see.

Hebrews 9:15 tells us that “For this reason [Jesus] is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Praise the Lord for His call unto salvation and eternal life! Be prepared to tell others the news.