David Bahn – Reflections

Genesis 6:5-9

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Cal Thomas believes the movie is a good sign, but suggests that the book is better than the movie, while others say we ought to go see it. Pastors.com (founded by Rick Warren) says Christians should go see the movie. World Magazine’s Sophia Lee offers a most significant insight. She says the film, “nails God’s wrath, but but misses His mercy.” I believe that to be a significant issue, and worthy of much conversation.

The wrath of God is real but too-often-dismissed characteristic of God. He is often ignored, or rejected, or made into some sort of grandfatherly doter in the minds of many. He becomes merely an old man, sitting in a rocking chair, white hair, and at best watching, but perhaps sleeping. But look at the skies break loose and the waters rushing in to drown mankind. Even better watch as God’s Son bears the brunt of his wrath on the cross. God’s wrath is real, and not to be dismissed lightly.

But God’s love is greater, even, than his wrath. That’s what the cross of Jesus is all about. It’s about God’s love intervening between us and himself, and in love for us, Jesus sacrificing himself for our sins on the cross. If for no other reason than that we appreciate the reality of God’s wrath on account of our sins, Noah the movie is a good start. But since there is far more than just God’s wrath, let’s never consider the job done when we convince someone that the Bible is true, and that a man named Noah and his wife and sons and their wives were saved by God through the ark – together with the animals.

Let’s also remember the great drowning that happened at our baptism: the sinful nature was drown, the body of sin was put to death. We were buried with Christ in baptism, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may walk in newness of life. Thanks be to God!