S120P10 – A new family: a fresh harvest
Jam. 1:16-18
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Imagine the sky with no birds set against it. Imagine the land with no animals or insects crawling across it. Imagine pools and streams of water with no fish to swim in them. It was the moment that breath entered the world through God and into man. The first breath, the first creature, the first step in introducing life to this planet. The idea of humankind being a kind of firstfruits of His creatures speaks first to our value. When we were first created, we were created in his likeness. No other creature bears that image, but this is not just about the creation process. This is not just about sowing. This is also about reaping the harvest.
When the Lord returns, there will be a harvest of humanity, but that is only part of the restoration process. The competed work of Jesus Christ on the cross serves to restore all things. When mankind fell, emnity was established between us and God’s other creatures. That is why I cannot lie with the lion or wrestle with the tiger without risking mortal life. Where peace once stood, we now find strife. When Christ appears again to set all things right, there will be a priority of value. Yes, the land will be healed. Yes, the creatures of the sky, earth, and deep will be restored. These will be great and glorious, but none will be so glorious as the harvest of human souls, the firstfruits of the restoration, which will be a humanity physically and spiritually transformed according to his glory. [Php. 3:20-21]
Our rebirth into the family of God, our citizenship in his kingdom, our right to be called his children [Jn. 1:12-13], these are of utmost value because mankind was formed in God’s own image and came to life by God’s own breath. He will be praised even if the rocks must cry out in song, but God’s desire is that we would sing that praise. We are a priority, the firstfruits of that final harvest, as the only creatures to share in his Spirit and carry his presence. We are the stones that build the house where He dwells, and no other part of creation can make that claim. Father, give us a fresh revelation of that final harvest and the value You place on redeeming humankind on that day.