Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:8–9; Luke 19:10; Matthew 11:28; John 1:14; John 3:1–16; Romans 5:8; Revelation 21:1–5; 22:1–5
God Seeks the Hiding Sinner
When Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden, they hid among the trees. Then the Lord called to the man, “Where are you?” God did not ask because He lacked knowledge. The question revealed His gracious heart toward the sinner who had turned away from Him. (Gen. 3:8–9)
Adam was created in God’s image, called to rule under God, subdue the earth, and serve in God’s presence. The Lord placed him in Eden to work it and keep it. But Adam listened to the serpent and rejected God’s command. Sin turned joy into fear, openness into shame, and fellowship into hiding. (Gen. 1:26–28; 2:15–17; 3:1–8)
Grace Takes the First Step
Adam did not seek God, but God sought Adam. “Where are you?” is the voice of grace. Grace is God moving toward the guilty. Love is God seeking the one who has turned away. (Gen. 3:9)
This seeking heart is fully revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come with a different heart from the Father. He shares the same divine nature with the Father and perfectly reveals the Father’s mercy. When we see the Son, we see the Father’s heart. (John 10:30; 14:9–10)
The eternal Son became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. Though He is in very nature God, He humbled Himself and came as a servant to bring sinners back to God. (John 1:14; Phil. 2:6–8)
Jesus Came to Seek and Save
Jesus clearly revealed His mission: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He called Zacchaeus down from the tree, spoke living water to the Samaritan woman, restored the demon-possessed man, and told Nicodemus that sinners must be born again. (Luke 19:10; John 4:1–26; Mark 5:1–20; John 3:1–16)
At Eden, God asked, “Where are you?” In the gospel, Jesus came to where we are. He entered our sin, shame, fear, and death. On the cross, He carried our guilt and opened the way back to the Father. Through His resurrection, He gives new life to all who believe. (Rom. 5:8; 1 Pet. 3:18)
Jesus does not merely bring us back to Eden. He brings us into the Father’s house and finally into the new heaven and new earth, where God’s people will see His face forever. (John 14:1–6; Rev. 21:1–5; 22:1–5)
Disciple Application
As disciples, we must answer honestly: Where am I before God? Am I hiding in shame, fear, pride, or self-righteousness? Christ has come to seek, save, restore, and bring us home. Those found by Jesus must now join His mission and invite the lost to the Saviour who says, “Come to Me.” (Matt. 11:28)
Memory Verse:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Prayer:
Father, thank You for seeking us when we were hiding from You. Help us come to Christ, receive His rest, and live in fellowship with You. Make us disciples who seek the lost with grace and truth. Amen.