The human race is snake-bit, and the poison of that adder flows in our veins, slowly killing us all. We’ve felt its effect at every turn. It’s poisoned the way we see everything. It’s paralyzed our reason, making our philosophy a maze of self-aggrandizing flattery. It’s tainted our appetites, so we lust, envy, murder, and steal, thinking these will dull the pain of our slow decay.
But the snake isn’t the main character of the story which God is telling. In fact, God promised the first queen of our planet that the heel of one of her children was destined to one day have an appointment with the skull of that wicked dragon. In the Old Testament, we see this promise rehearsed as wicked men––who have chosen to embrace the snakebite––often meet with death blows to their heads. A millstone is dropped from a tower crushing one evil man’s head (Jdg. 9:53). A tent peg pierces the head of wicked king Sisera (Jdg. 4:22). A stone from a God-follower shatters the forehead of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:49). The treacherous rebel Sheba was beheaded, his head tossed over the city wall (2 Sam. 20:22). The demise of these serpent followers showed God’s people that God would fulfill His promise.
At last, the promised Christ came. He crushed the ancient worm by dying the death that was killing us. But He didn’t stay dead. The venom holds no power over Him, and those who look to Him receive the new life He gives. This communion meal nourishes us with the spiritual presence of Christ the serpent-crusher. As we partake of His broken body and poured out blood, we are feasting upon the One who crushed Satan’s skull. And in Jesus, Paul tells us, “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20).†In other words, we eat and drink the body and blood of the mightiest warrior, who conquered and yet conquers all his and our enemies.
So come in faith, and welcome to Jesus…
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