Anticipating Christ,
The Greater Noah
Genesis 9:8-16
The following Advent devotion provides Scriptural texts we can meditate on as a church congregation, in concert with the sermon series each week, to gain a deeper understanding of our sin, a closer look at the beauty of Christ, and the power of the Gospel that saves and redeems.
Scripture
8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10“and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Genesis 9:8-16
In this passage, we look to Noah as a signpost pointing to our true King, Jesus Christ. In Genesis, humanity’s sin and violence grieve God, and in His holiness He brings a flood to judge the world. Yet even in judgment, God shows mercy: He preserves Noah and his family through the ark and establishes a covenant, promising never again to destroy all life by a flood. The rainbow becomes a visible sign of His steadfast love and faithfulness, even though human hearts remain sinful.
This story exposes how we build our own “arks” today and seek security in careers, relationships, children, and comfort—things never meant to carry the weight of our ultimate hope. Noah’s ark could preserve physical life, but it could not remove sin or guarantee eternal safety. We need a better Noah and a better ark. In Jesus, the greater Noah, God Himself takes on the full storm of judgment at the cross so that we don’t have to. Christ becomes our true ark, bearing the wrath we deserved and hiding our lives safely in Him. Just as Noah could look to the rainbow and remember God’s promise, we look to the cross and remember a greater promise: new life now and eternity with our true King, who is our refuge in every storm.
Meditate
Take a few moments to quietly reflect on this truth.
The rainbow reminds us that even in the storms of sin and suffering, we can have peace and hope because of Jesus, the Greater Noah, the true Ark. He has already taken on the ultimate storm of judgment, so nothing in this life can ever sweep us away. How does the cross of Christ serve as God’s ultimate promise of rescue and renewal?
Pray
Speak this prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and mind.
Our Father, thank You that even though we deserved judgment, You showed us mercy. We praise You for sending Jesus, who took on the ultimate storm of wrath so that we could be brought safely into new life. Teach us to rest in the peace and security of Your covenant love. Amen.
Apply
Consider specific ways you can live out this truth today.
Where are you still trying to build your own “ark”, trying to find an ultimate source of security, control, or comfort? Look to Christ, who has already secured your salvation and invites you to rest in what He has finished, not in what you can accomplish.
Memorize
Carry this truth with you throughout your day.
3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
