Seeking Jesus in Genesis 1
This first one I have heard more than once from other sources: Since Jesus is the Word, the Word of God and everything was created by Him (John 1), we see Jesus all throughout creation. God the Father would speak (check in Hebrew, who spoke?) and His Word – Jesus – would obey and create.
Jesus, God’s Word, also shows Him as under authority. Following and obeying the Father (again, check who was commanding). At the same time, we see the unity and community of the God-head as one part of the Trinity spoke to the rest (“Let us…etc”).
John 1 also says that Jesus is the light. We also know that Jesus is God’s first-born. To symbolize this, what was the first thing created which was on the first day? Light. And it pleased God. “It was good.”
Taking this further, we see that water was involved in days 2 and 3. Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Water was separated to make the sky, and further separated the water to form seas and dry land. Vegetation growth followed. I see this as us needing Jesus (the light) and the Holy Spirit (water and its effects). Having both, brings life – life that bears seeds and multiplies.
Thinking further (influenced somewhat from a pastor), day 1 light is symbolic of the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, such that light (sunlight) cleans and purifies just as Jesus’ blood cleans and purifies. Day 2 is a day of separation of water – water above and below, liquid water from evaporated water with the sky in between. I can’t think of what else that could symbolize other than Jesus being separated from the Father on the cross, water being separated from water, as all sin was placed on Jesus and He cried, “why have you forsaken me?” What major event happens next? Jesus is resurrected back to life, starting a bursting forth of spiritual life that has borne seed, just as vegetation started and bursted forth, bearing seed and multiplying.
Jesus, as the light is evidenced in the creation of the moon and stars, which govern the night and the sun, the day. Light is always present, just as Jesus is always with us, even in our darkest times.
The next two days of the creation story has to do with fish, birds, all animals being created and that they could reproduce. This reminds of the two times that Jesus multiplied a few pieces of bread and a few fish to feed thousands.
Genesis 1 ends with the creation of mankind and the command to fill the earth. It also says that God provided everything in creation to sustain and feed mankind and all the birds & animals. I can remember Jesus saying not to worry because he provides for all.