Room in the Boat: Noah's Ark

This morning, June and I got up at 4:45am to get ready for sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial. This is no easy feat. I'm a morning person, but I'm not a 4:45 in the morning person. I was grumpy, it was cold, but once I was out there I was moved by the thousands of people gathered to celebrate the risen Christ. There were thousands of people there celebrating the new covenant...and I thought about how it was in stark contrast to what happened with Noah. God made a covenant with Noah, and it ended with 8 people in a boat. Eight!

The Flood is an interesting story because it's always compared to now: destruction is coming; are you prepared? We focus a lot on the similarities; but I think the grace of God can be found in the differences: (links for Genesis 6:5-8 and Romans 5:6-8; Genesis 6:18 and John 3:16-17 in table)

 
I used to think that Noah was out their preaching his little heart out for 100 years warning people about the flood. But when God said "I will wipe them from the face of the earth" that was it. Judgment had been passed, but one found favor: Noah. The plan of salvation was given to Noah in the form of a blueprint for a big boat (see Genesis 6:14-16). But then the plan of salvation was limited.

As noted in the table, that boat was for Noah and his family alone. So warning them would be cruel, right? Whether he preached or not, it didn't take because Jesus said the people were completely oblivious:

For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. Matthew 24:38-39

However, now the plan of salvation is wide open (see John 3:16-17), which is why we are charged to,

go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

Matthew 28:19 - 20 

The messed up thing is...the oblivious part? That's where things are the same! They didn't know about the flood. Jesus said they didn't know! And people won't know about Jesus or His return:

That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Matthew 24:40 - 41

That is the old-time version of: two accountants will be working in an office typing in excel spreadsheets; one will be taken and the other left. Why does this happen? Do you mean to tell me that the saved accountant never warned the other accountant? Don't be deceived, we have to preach the gospel, but know that the life you live for Christ in obedience to your faith also condemns people.

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 

Hebrews 11:7 

Noah condemned the world? Just by building the ark? Noah's faith causes him to fearfully obey. And that obedience looked like the dumbest thing in the world. He was building a massive ark on dry land. There wasn't even a nearby ocean! Noah's life of faith was his testimony to the world. Likewise, your life is your testimony. People see you fearfully obeying God (by faith of course). And your obedience looks like the dumbest thing in the world. "Jesus is a myth", "There is no God...it's all a fairtytale." All those people have seen and heard, and yet...they don't know. Not at all prepared for a flood.

They see, but don't see. But thanks be to Jesus that the scope of salvation isn't still limited. Blind in the days of Noah was a death sentence. But Jesus came healing the blind. If you don't see, but you think there might be something there...seek it. Find it. Know it...because this time, there's room in the boat. 

Happy Easter!