Skip to main content

He Came 1


So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,
“Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly, and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)

          Today, let’s begin looking at a series of statements why Jesus came, first through Old Testament prophecy, and later though Jesus’ own words. Today’s passage doesn’t fit the pattern of “He will come” or “I will come,” but it expresses two reasons why He did come: to be injured and to crush the head of the serpent.
          This is a remarkable statement because it’s the first time these ideas are expressed. First, he would come to be injured. Does this statement give you goosebumps? Does it awaken your soul? It should.
          I have a pastor friend who once talked about being a good husband. He’d do this, and he’d do that, to prove his love for her. He’d gladly go fight dragons for her, but the idea of showing his love by taking out the garbage, well… This statement is God’s proclamation of what He will do for mankind. He’ll fight the dragon. He’ll be injured. His battle on our behalf is going to cost Him. It’s not a show battle. He won’t be like Superman taking on human bank robbers.
          My life has lacked in the sort of proclamations of love as described above, but we’re coming to the point in the political cycle in which a slightly different kind of courtship takes place. He promises are just as grandiose. When with you by his/her side, the politician will be victorious, the opposing party, which has likely been compared with some version of the devil, will have its head crushed, and everyone will live happily ever after.
          Cynic that I am, my response to this sort of talk is,
Words! Words! Words!
I'm so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you!
 Is that all you blighters can do?
Don't talk of stars Burning above; 
If you're in love,Show me! 
Tell me no dreams.Filled with desire. 
If you're on fire,Show me! (Show Me, My Fair Lady)
          And having survived several electoral cycles, I have learned that I’m bound to be disappointed by the politicians. Most of the gods I’ve heard about are no better. In fact, most can’t even be bothered to notice me. Oh, I’ll be judged, and if I’ve made the curve, or performed the right rituals, or somehow achieved enough, I might be granted entrance to Heaven, but those gods don’t really have any skin in the game.
          In today’s passage, God makes it clear that He does. And history bears out His having fulfilled His promises.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more