The Creator

by George Prasher, Manchester, England | Category: The Excellencies Of Christ | Feb 1990

The first sentence of our Bible tells us: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Answering to this, we read in the first verses of John's gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been made (vv. 1,3).

It is clear that the One spoken of as the Word is the Lord Jesus for in verse 14 we are told that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us". What then do we learn from the fact that all things were made by Him, when we know from the verse in Genesis that God created the heaven and the earth? The word for God in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim, a plural Hebrew word form meaning more than two. Showing that, as later revealed in Scripture, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all involved in the planning and process of creation.

The prominent part played by the Lord Jesus is made clear in Paul's letter to the Colossians. Speaking of Christ as the Son of God's love, Paul wrote:

For in Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, all things have been created through Him and unto Him; and He is before all things and in Him all things consist (1:16).

These words impress upon us the vast range of Christ's creative works. They were created in Him, for He was the Centre of divine counsels before creation, the Architect and Mathematician of the universe. "Through Him" marks out our Lord as Himself the One who brought creation into existence. He was the "Master Workman" as we are told in Proverbs chapter 8. "Unto Him" reminds us that it was for His glory that the universe was brought into being. Then follows the wonderful statement that in Him "all things consist", or hold together (RVM) - He is the source of dynamic power by which matter coheres and the universe is regulated and controlled.

We do well to think often about our Saviour as Creator. For by this we can better measure His greatness, wisdom, power and love. The immensity of the universe and its clockwork precision tell of His infinite power and wisdom.

The loveliness of sunset, countryside and sea coast express His glory, the beauty of His mind. Each tiny insect or flower is exquisite in design. As the Psalmist said:

O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches (104:24).

The greatness and condescension of the Lord Jesus are beautifully expressed by the hymn writer:

In His own hands He holds the seas.

He guides the tide, controls the breeze;

The frost, the snow, the ice, the cold,

Are all by His great power controlled;

And yet an infant Babe He lay,

In Bethlehem's manger on that day.

Yes He was in the world, and the world was made by Him. To outward appearance He was an ordinary Man, eating and drinking, living in lowly circumstances among others - among those who were His creatures. But though found in fashion as a Man in this world He was declared to be the Son of God with power (Rom. 1:4). He changed water into wine; restored sightless eyes; raised the dead; fed 5000 from two small fish and five barley loaves, and calmed the raging sea with a word.

Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,

Or demons, or men, or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of the ocean, and earth, and skies:

They all shall sweetly obey My will, Peace, be still!

We find it hard to grasp how the Creator could become Man and dwell in this world. But God's word clearly reveals this to have been so, and as we accept it by faith the Holy Spirit helps us to treasure in our hearts the wonder of such grace and love. And how amazing that One so great should humble Himself even unto death, yes, the death of the cross!

Well might the sun in darkness hide.

And shut its glories in,

When the incarnate Maker died

For man, His creature's sin.

It was by this means, however, that He gloriously made possible a new creation. The old order had been spoiled by human sin and it is on the ground of the great Creator's sacrifice at Calvary that we who believe in Him are new creatures in Christ Jesus. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Eph. 2:10).

Nor is this all. We who believe are but the first fruits of a new creation. Divine purpose is moving forward to the great goal of a new heaven and a new earth. "And He that sitteth on the throne said, behold I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5). About this Peter wrote;

But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in His sight. (2 Pet. 3:13,14).

George Prasher, Manchester, England | Feb 1990
The Excellencies Of Christ