Epiphany (Observed): Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12                         

Matthew 2:1-12

Snakes are not foreign to the Bible. And snakes or serpents strike. The first encounter we have with a snake is in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). At least that’s how we picture our adversary following God’s cursing him for leading our first parents into sin. To this day many people don’t like snakes and some are terrified of them.

There’s a snake in this week’s gospel, too. His name is Herod, and just like his biblical ancestor, his primary weapon is to lie. God is fulfilling His promise to send to the world of men a Savior, and just as the first serpent didn’t want God’s Word honored, so here the snake lies about his intent when the magi arrive at court. Whether or not Herod understood the full import of his actions, he strikes at God’s Word in telling the traveling worshipers that he, too, desires to worship the Child heralded by the great star. He has no such plan. Like most politicians he only desires to protect and prolong his power. Power, oddly enough, granted him by the very Child he seeks to destroy.

But God knows. And His desire to rescue also comes in both accounts, the garden and in Herod’s realm. God’s Word accomplishes what it claims and Jesus is born, worshiped, dies and rises again to bring to pass that which this gospel snake could never interrupt. Oh Herod strikes hard and there is bloodshed and grief as he murders little boys to protect his turf (Matt. 2:16-18). But just a bit further in this account is the bleeding and grieving that led to joy, deliverance and final triumph.

Snakes are no match for the Savior.