The very first promise of redemption comes immediately after the Fall of Adam and Even in the Garden. There, God declares that the “seed of the woman” would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Genesis 3:16). In the earliest churches, this great promise was artistically represented by mosaics of dragons on floors—upon which everyone in the congregation could step and jump and stomp. We don’t have a mosaic in our foyer (yet), but we do have a wonderful red carpet inscribed with a Celtic dragon image. So on this Resurrection Sunday morn, go ahead: join with the saints across the ages who have followed after Christus Victor in crushing the head of the serpent! — Pastor George Grant
Key Words: Unless, Never, Peace, Disbelieve, Believe, Signs, Written
Keystone Verse: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. (John 20:30)
John 20: 24-31 24
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.