 Wednesday: The Mysterious
and Beguiling Creature
Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the
LORD God had made. Genesis 3:1
There is a sensation that we experience when we encounter the unknown. It
is very difficult to describe. Perhaps this is because we lack the words
to describe sensations. Perhaps it is because the sensation itself is part
of the unknown, and we cannot describe things that we do not know. Whatever
the reason may be, whether we can describe it or not, the sensation is real.
It is almost tangible.
I experience that sensation whenever I read the account of Eve and the serpent.
Even though I don't know exactly what it looked like, in my mind I can almost
see the serpent suspended in the branches of a lovely tree-the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil. The creature is almost imperceptible, but then
it moves and its patterned skin draws my eyes along its body, winding this
way and that, and finally ending at a flat, dark-eyed head. I am simultaneously
repulsed and attracted by its stare. It moves again and passes by a piece
of fruit-the forbidden fruit! Without speaking a word, the serpent is taunting
me. It beguiles me. It can touch the tree, but I am supposed to stay away.
It can touch the fruit, but I am not supposed to eat it. The fruit is lovely.
The fruit is inviting. The fruit is-distracting! What am I supposed to be
doing?
We are on a pilgrimage. A holy pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to encounter God
in a way that we have never known before. We are filled with the sensation
of encountering the unknown. This sensation is similar to the one evoked
by the mysterious and beguiling creature in the Garden of Eden, but somehow
it is different. What is the difference? How do we know which one is good,
and which one is not?
The Psalmist struggled with the same questions. In one psalm he decries the
wicked people who lay in secret, waiting for their victims (Psalm 10); in
another psalm he takes refuge in the secret place of the most High (Psalm
91). Both the wicked and the holy have their mysteries and secrets, but they
are not the same. The secrets of the wicked lead to disobedience, destruction,
and death; the secret ways of the Lord lead to comfort, blessing, and life
eternal.
While we are on our pilgrim journey and throughout our lifetimes, we will
encounter the unfamiliar and the unknown. We do not have to be confused about
our choices, though. As lovely and enticing as the wrong choice may seem,
it will always involve an element of disobedience or self interest. In contrast,
the way of righteousness always involves humble, selfless obedience to God.
In case you lose your direction, remember where we are going. Our journey
leads to the foot of the cross, the symbol of Christ's humble, selfless
obedience. It is not a symbol of destruction or death. Instead, the cross
leads to resurrection and life. The cross leads to Easter.
Holy, righteous, almighty God, I have no words to describe my awe and
wonder. I sense your holiness and I feel unworthy. I am enticed by desires
that distract me from your path and lead me to disobey your words. Create
in me a clean heart, O God, a heart that is hungry for your Word and a will
that is ever conformed to your ways. This I pray in the name of Christ, my
Lord, Amen.
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