By © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52589950
Readings: 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
I John 3:8b
Heather W. Peterson
It’s the sleepy time after Christmas day before we return to work or school. The lights remain up, but the gifts are open and some of the new toys broken.
Today’s reading is a reminder that, as my life returns to its mundaneness, my participation in a divine drama hasn’t ceased. I John 3:8b proclaims: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” This destruction was predicted in the story of the Fall. God told the serpent that Eve’s offspring “will crush your head” (Gen. 3:15).
When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples, and they returned triumphant, he informed them: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:18).
But my life doesn’t feel as exciting as serpent stomping. Instead, I’m sticking at home, following protocols during a worldwide pandemic. After an exhausting semester of teaching online and in person simultaneously, I want to escape into YouTube videos. I’d prefer to ignore the clutter of my house and order my children to leave me undisturbed.
However, my ordinary pandemic life, surrounded by Amazon boxes to be broken down, is part of the divine drama. As C. S. Lewis illustrates in Perelandra through the petty behavior of Prof. Weston, the devil’s work deemed for destruction includes negligible-appearing selfishness. Our reading in I John today ends that a child of the devil “is the one who does not love his brother.”
In simple acts toward my household, I acknowledge that a divine seed has been planted—getting up early enough to keep my kids on a healthy schedule, setting my smart phone aside to clear a sink or play a game. Sometimes love is not dramatic, but regardless my foot can set firmly on the serpent’s head.
The Collect
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” (Note final verse.)