Our first reading tonight is taken from the first chapter of Genesis; it is one of two creation narratives in Genesis.  This creation story describes the world from its inception as being orderly, at peace, and fruitful.  The reading describes God’s plan for creation, namely, that all things work together for good.  We know, of course, that the story doesn’t end there. 

We know that the man and woman whom God created fell away very quickly from their original innocence.  The temptation that led them to sin seems sufficiently enticing even to readers today.  The serpent encouraged them to eat the forbidden fruit because it would make them “like gods, who know good and evil.” (Gn 3:5) 

The man and the woman succumbed to temptation; they were tempted by godlike power and knowledge.  Their sin is described as disobeying God’s command, but there are some very important nuances to this story that are worth our attention. 

Firstly, the woman repeated to the serpent God’s command about the forbidden fruit, “You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die.” (Gn 3:3)  It should be noted that when they disobeyed God’s command, they didn’t die; rather, they were expelled from the garden. (Gn 3:23)   

Secondly, the serpent’s temptation was a blatant lie.  The serpent tempted the man and the woman by saying that they would become godlike if they ate the forbidden fruit when, in fact, they were already like God before they ate the fruit of tree at the center of the garden.  The creation story we heard a few minutes ago said that the man and woman were created in the image of God, and they lived together in harmony and at peace with creation. (Gn 1:27)  They didn’t need to grasp at godliness; they were granted it by being created in the Divine image.

Human nature is unlike the Divine nature, and cannot be transformed into the Divine nature, but human nature is created in the image of the Divine nature.  That is to say, that human nature has the capacity for wisdom, knowledge, love, and creativity.  The man and the woman in the creation story enjoyed those blessings that are the results of being created in the Divine image.   

The serpent lied to the man and the woman about their nature and the Divine nature.  The man and the woman believed the lie and, as a result, were estranged from God, God’s creation, and one another.  The man and the woman lost not only a few finite blessings; they lost their own nature as created in God’s image.  This was the “death” mentioned in God’s command to the man and the woman, not physical death but the spiritual death of sin.  We know, of course, that the story doesn’t end there. 

According to the Gospels, Jesus died on a cross reminiscent of the tree at the center of the garden in the creation story, and he was resurrected in a setting reminiscent of the garden in the creation story.  By an extraordinary act of grace, God reversed the effects of sin through the death of Jesus and granted human nature renewed life through Jesus’ resurrection.  Now, there is the possibility of experiencing restoration of the innocence lost to human nature by sin. 

Restoration of lost innocence and renewal of life are possible, but not automatic; the effects of God’s offer of salvation cannot be taken for granted.  In the death of Jesus, God reversed the fate of a fallen world.  We avail ourselves of God’s offer of extraordinary grace by reversing the actions that led to human nature’s original sin.  The man and the woman whom God created sinned by acting on a lie; we find redemption in Jesus’ death by acting in accordance with the Truth, namely, the truth of God’s mercy expressed on the Cross. 

Through Baptism, which we will confer on our Elect this evening, human nature is given the capacity to find new life and renewed innocence.  The Candidates for Full Communion and the entire congregation will renew the vows of Baptism at this Liturgy, and pledge again to live according to the teachings of Jesus. 

The truth about human nature and the Divine nature is that God desires only what is best for us, and God does only what is good.  God’s will is not burdensome; God’s commands do not diminish human freedom.  Rather, God’s will reveals the true nature of sin as based on a blatant lie that says vindictiveness, dishonesty, selfishness, and irresponsibility are acts of freedom.  True freedom is found in acting according to the image of God at the center of our nature. 

Tonight, as we keep Vigil for the Lord’s Resurrection, all are invited to see Truth in the Light of Christ; all are invited to renewed life and renewed innocence.