It was April 11, 1970 when the world became riveted to the news because of five words that changed the course of the space program. “Houston, we have a problem.” From that point on, NASA engineers worked round the clock to find a solution to the problem, and by God’s grace and a lot of good thinking, the astronauts were returned safely to earth.

‍

But that wasn’t the first time similar words had been uttered. In Genesis God gave humanity complete reign over everything in the garden–everything except the tree in the middle–the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were told they could eat of any tree in the garden and had complete dominion over all the it had to offer with one exception

‍

People often ask, “Why did God put a forbidden tree there? Wasn’t He just asking for trouble? I believe the tree was placed in the garden for two reasons. First, to demonstrate to the people He created that He was still God and alone had the right to rule over all things, including humanity. Second, I believe God planted the tree in the garden to make certain that Adam and Eve had to make a decision to willingly honor Him through their obedience.

‍

But alas, between the temptation of the fruit, and the lies of the enemy, Adam and Eve took the forbidden bite and changed the course of human history. 

‍

Suddenly the words became true…. “Humanity, we have a problem.” But the difference between this problem and what three astronauts faced in 1970 was that no doctor, engineer, scientist or philosopher could solve it. We had gotten ourselves into a mess that only God could solve. It would take a divine solution to rectify the problem humanity brought on itself.

‍

But thankfully, God is a God who solves problems and redeems people. In fact, from the very beginning, God set out on a mission to cover our shame. In the first indication that God was going to make a way for us to be restored to perfect fellowship, the Scripture tells us that God Himself made clothing from animal skin to cover their shame.

‍

Don’t let the nuance get lost on you. It was the first recorded sacrificial death–the death of an animal, conducted by God Himself, for the purpose of covering the shame Adam and Eve felt. 

‍

But God has been doing that ever since. He promised Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, King David, the prophets and people throughout history that He would redeem and restore His people. 

‍

God recognized that humanity had a problem that only He could solve, and it would take a blood sacrifice powerful enough to cover the sins of all people for all time. Only perfect blood could do that. Think about the blood of Jesus. Spotless, sinless, perfectly righteous, poured out under the scourging of a Roman soldier, and the nails and spear that pierced his flesh. 

‍

Blood usually stains what it hits, but in this case, the red blood of Jesus washed us white as snow. It was the greatest exchange in human history. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul wrote, "He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus literally exchanged his righteousness for our sin, so we could bear his purity in God’s sight. 

‍

It’s still true. Humanity, we have a problem. Just watch the news in case you have any doubts. But the real news is, God has solved that problem for anyone who will receive it.

‍