Dearest e-votees,
This Sunday is the beginning of ordinary time. We are in the long green season of the days after Pentecost. For the e-vo this week we'll take a look at appointed verse from Genesis.
Peace,
Karl
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8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between
you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
Romans 12:9-16b, NRSV
I was struck when I found the following image on-line:
If you click on the image it will take you to the source page. This image is part of a beautiful and intricate nave window at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. It is worth a visit.
The scene in the text is when the consequences of the forbidden fruit are coming to bear. What was needed was a mea culpa but Adam offers an accusing shea culpa and Eve, in turn, offers an accusing hea culpa pointing at the serpent. I'm sure if the serpent had fingers and another target the blame passing would have continued. But the Lord God puts a stop to the blaming and speaks into the situation. What the Lord God says is descriptive: that there will be enmity between the humans (the offspring of Eve) and the tempters to come (the offspring of the serpent). How we continue to struggle with sin and temptation. Sin, death and the devil are prowling this world.
But the Lord God also offers a gospel promise. There is a prophetic statement. That one of Eve's offspring will crush the head of the serpent. And also that the serpent will strike that one's heel. Some see in that text the crucifixion (where the heels of Jesus are struck quite literally and quite painfully) and where Jesus' work on the cross definitively vanquished the power of sin, death and the devil.
When you look at the image above do you see the snares of the tempter (coiled around the ankle) or do you see the promise (the serpent is being defeated)? No matter where you have struggled and fallen (like Adam and Eve) God has a saving promise for you. May your ears be opened and your hopes encouraged.
God, thank you for gospel promises that started all the way back in the beginning. Help us, with your help, allow the schemes of the devil to be crushed underfoot. Amen.
If you are so inclined you are welcome to check out:
this coming week. I was honored to be asked to write the devotions for June 8-14. If you do give them a read I would love some feedback at karlhester@aol.com. Thanks.
This Sunday is the beginning of ordinary time. We are in the long green season of the days after Pentecost. For the e-vo this week we'll take a look at appointed verse from Genesis.
Peace,
Karl
------------
8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between
you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
I was struck when I found the following image on-line:
If you click on the image it will take you to the source page. This image is part of a beautiful and intricate nave window at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. It is worth a visit.
The scene in the text is when the consequences of the forbidden fruit are coming to bear. What was needed was a mea culpa but Adam offers an accusing shea culpa and Eve, in turn, offers an accusing hea culpa pointing at the serpent. I'm sure if the serpent had fingers and another target the blame passing would have continued. But the Lord God puts a stop to the blaming and speaks into the situation. What the Lord God says is descriptive: that there will be enmity between the humans (the offspring of Eve) and the tempters to come (the offspring of the serpent). How we continue to struggle with sin and temptation. Sin, death and the devil are prowling this world.
But the Lord God also offers a gospel promise. There is a prophetic statement. That one of Eve's offspring will crush the head of the serpent. And also that the serpent will strike that one's heel. Some see in that text the crucifixion (where the heels of Jesus are struck quite literally and quite painfully) and where Jesus' work on the cross definitively vanquished the power of sin, death and the devil.
When you look at the image above do you see the snares of the tempter (coiled around the ankle) or do you see the promise (the serpent is being defeated)? No matter where you have struggled and fallen (like Adam and Eve) God has a saving promise for you. May your ears be opened and your hopes encouraged.
God, thank you for gospel promises that started all the way back in the beginning. Help us, with your help, allow the schemes of the devil to be crushed underfoot. Amen.
If you are so inclined you are welcome to check out:
this coming week. I was honored to be asked to write the devotions for June 8-14. If you do give them a read I would love some feedback at karlhester@aol.com. Thanks.
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