#1197. He will crush the serpent's head (4/12/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we begin our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we are reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus.  At present, I'm only posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Today, continuing in Genesis 3:15, we reflect on how Jesus’ coming fulfils God’s promise to crush Satan. 

To watch this devotional, select the link below

1. Who is the snake in our story? 

It seems very clear that we are to see Satan at work in this event. Either a real snake was ‘possessed’ by Satan or he manifested himself in the form of a snake. We cannot know the details, but we know that Satan tempted Eve in this moment. Here, even at this darkest moment,  we have, in God’s first words to the first sinners, a prophecy and plan that encompasses the end of evil. 

2. Who are the ‘offspring’ in this story?

We are told of the enmity that will continue between the offspring of the snake and the offspring of the woman. The demonic offspring, are all the demonic hordes and anyone who follows his destructive influence. The offspring of the woman are all who walk with God and, ultimately, this is the promise of the birth of Jesus who is the one who, ultimately, will crush the serpents head. 

3. What is the crushing of the serpent’s head?

The crushing of Satan’s head is the promise that the devil and his offspring will be destroyed. All evil and causes of evil will be judged and creation will be restored. This has a present and future element; in the present, we join with Christ in the spiritual warfare and the sharing of the gospel that crushes Satan. This co-working with Christ is inferred in Romans 16:

However, The crushing of Satan’s head, ultimately, is about that future moment when Jesus returns and casts all evil into the ‘lake of fire’. This is the victory of Jesus over demonic powers and the undoing of The Fall. 

At Christmas, we remember that Jesus came in order to destroy Satan and to restore creation. 

Let’s pray together as we finish

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for this great promise of your overcoming all that is evil. Please, Holy Spirit, fill me with the hope of that victory and the hope of life in that eternal and joyful age that awaits us. Amen” 

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

Let’s ensure that we are aware of our carol service next week and that we are carol singing in Roehampton on the 15th. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

This week, being ’SIV Week’, we want to give extra focus on the SIV element. 

On Sunday we began our Christmas series entitled ‘Emmanuel - God With Us’. During this series, we’ll be reflecting on some of the Biblical great promises regarding Jesus’ coming and His work.

In our first message, from Genesis 3:15, we considered God’s gracious promise, after the rebellion and fall of mankind, that Jesus would come and, ultimately, bring sin and suffering to an end. 

Please read Genesis 3:15 and discuss: 

• Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others? 

• How does the context of this promise reveal the love and grace of God?

• What does the promise say of Jesus’ suffering and His victory?  

• SIV - What does this promise tell us about our mission? 

• SIV - Let’s discuss and pray for those we plan to invite to our carol service, next week on the 8th. 

• Let’s pray together: Pray for one another out of our study together and for anything else for which anyone would like prayer.