(Rivers of Eden by Yoram Raanan)
Jesus began his public ministry saying, “The Kingdom of God is near” (Mark 1:15). He was announcing that there was something new right around the corner. He went on to make it happen with his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Another name for the Kingdom is New Creation. The Lord has declared, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).
Here is an interesting (to me anyway) picture in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, of the new creation which compares with the original creation described in Genesis. (I apologize for the funky formatting in parts of the table – I tried but this is the best I could make it.)
| ORIGINAL CREATION | NEW CREATION |
| Genesis 1:27; 2:20-25
Adam and Eve – united, one flesh |
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus repeats – marriage is the foundational human relationship |
| Genesis 1:28
Be fruitful, multiply – children |
Mark 10:13-16
Jesus welcomes and blesses children |
| Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-24
In the garden is the tree of life The serpent: “Did God really say…?” Do you really know what God commanded? One tree to not eat of – one warning Serpent: “You won’t die if you eat it.” – no need to follow God’s instruction Result: everything cursed, humans banished from Eden |
Mark 10:17-31
A man asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus: “You know the commandments.” You know what God says. Jesus: “One thing you lack.” Jesus: “Follow me” – enter the Kingdom Jesus: “All things are possible with God.” Result: you will receive blessing and eternal life. |
| Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and Abel bring offerings; Cain’s is rejected, and he kills Abel. “So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence.” |
Mark 10:32-34
Jesus tells the Twelve he will be killed and will rise. His offering brings us to God (Ephesians 2:13). |
| Genesis 4:23-24
Lamech kills a man for wounding him – revenge – survival of the fittest |
Mark 10:35-45
Jesus teaches: whoever wants to be great must be a servant |
| Genesis 6 – 9
Man’s wickedness – only evil all the time The flood – judgment, destruction (though Noah receives grace) |
Mark 10:46-52
Man’s need: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy.” Jesus: “Your faith has healed you.” Mercy, faith, healing, restoration. |
Through Jesus, the Word (John 1), God re-created. There was a cosmic – in the heavens and on earth – remaking begun. It’s not finished, but it will be. Jesus took the curse on himself and changed everything. Someone (I don’t 
remember who) put it as “the physics of spirituality were changed.” What if physical physics changed – water could run uphill or we could direct a beam of light around objects or pressing the car brakes on an icy road would stop the car? The change with the new creation is that dynamic. God relates to us differently, and we relate to God differently, and we are free and able (with struggles and failures) to live the way we were originally intended – as the images of the Creator – which determines how we relate to everyone and everything else. Jesus is restoring all things and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). And he invites, “Come, follow me.”
So…