We are kicking off our new series: Genesis- Back to the Beginning.

For those of you who were with us when we went through Mark, this will be similar. Don’t worry, it won’t be as long . But what I want to invite you to do is take your time through Genesis. Even if you have another reading plan, go ahead and add this to the list. We are going to take our time going through Genesis and today, I hope you walk away with the encouragement as to why it will be important.

Because let’s be honest, the book of Genesis is not an easy book to read. Granted, it probably feels a touch better than Leviticus or Numbers. But Genesis is hard. Sure, we know it is a story about creation and the fall and the flood and then a bunch of names that are important to the overall story.

But then there are questions like, were the patriarchs real flesh and blood or were they literary-cultural constructs whose legends grew up to embody the cultural heritage of a small but influential ethic group? Did God really have conversations with these people? Are the many diverse languages of the earth the result of God’s judgement? Was there a worldwide flood? Did Ad and Eve actually exist, and di all people come from them? Was there a garden with such marvelous trees? Did the serpent really talk? Did God create in seven twenty-four days? Where do the dinosaur fossils fit in? (We may or may not be answering all those questions.)

Which then can lead us to the question, how does a book, which took place thousands of years ago apply to our life?

To answer that question, let’s open our Bibles. You would assume, a study on Genesis we would start in Genesis. But we are actually going to start after the resurrection, yup, fitting isn’t it a week after Easter, we are going to go to Luke 24 and Jesus is actually going to answer that question for us.

I preached through this story a few years ago and referenced it a few weeks ago, but I absolutely love the uniqueness of this story. It was just after Jesus was raised from the dead. Luke 24:13-19a, 26-27- 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” ... Jesus then explained .... 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Notice how Jesus draws the attention of the purpose of Moses, in some translations it says the Law of Moses, the Prophets, essentially saying, the entire Old Testament explained what was said about himself, about Jesus.

The Law of Moses is also referred to as the Torah or the Pentateuch, which represents the first five books of the Old Testament. It was actually not referred to as books, as it was the scroll of Torah; which we have Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Torah actually means teaching or instruction. And Moses was one who compiled much of the Torah, which is why it is referred to as the Law of Moses. Many believe that he wrote some, but not all, minimally complied much of what we have with the Torah.

Jesus is saying, the Law of Moses and the rest of Scriptures points to him. Which means, there is an overarching story, one big story in the bible, but all the other little books help communicate that one big story.

The individual book of Genesis means origins or the Greek word, beginnings. Which tells us, this is the origin or the beginning of the overarching larger story of the Bible. Which means, we are going back to the beginning because the book of Genesis informs our understanding of God, ourselves and the world.

What is the story that God is uncovering for us in Genesis?

To answer that question, take a look at this great overview video by the Bible Project guys. Overview of Genesis

What stands out to you about Genesis and the smaller story within the larger story? Do you think you will see the things of Jesus, even in Genesis? What is one goal or application you want to take from this new journey in Genesis?