naked and unashamed

A Bible lesson for sixth graders... illumined me...

The teaching... Genesis 2-3... the Creation... the Fall... one rule given... by the One who knows what is best for us...

Of course... the verses that got their attention most... contained the word... naked... each producing an eruption of giggles and guffaws... (at least it was a sign they were listening...)

It caught my attention too... in a new way... one I don't think I really connected before...

Now the man and his wife were both naked,

but they felt no shame.

Genesis 2:25

NLT

Before the Fall... the sin... the rebellion... the man and his wife... felt no shame... but after...

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Genesis 3:7

NLT

Not only did they hide from each other... they hid from God...

Naked and unashamed... the metaphor for freedom from sin and guilt...

The rules broken... the ones for our good... send us into hiding... from others... and God...

We... who think rules bind us... bind ourselves with sin... creating our own prisons of guilt... and fear...

Sin... once we have broken the rules... sends us scurrying to cover up... anxiety and fear that others will see who we really are... now rule our lives...

This is what the Lord says --- 

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

"I am the Lord your God, 

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

If only you had paid attention to my commands,

your peace would have been like a river,

your righteousness like the waves of the sea..."

Isaiah 48:17-18

(my emphasis)

Peace... freedom... found in rules... the ones we break... the ones that offend our sense of self... actually help us to live... as our true selves...

What are you covering up...?

What prison have you created for yourself...?

There is a Way out... and His name is Jesus...