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The year of the Snake is here! The snake is the sixth symbol in the Chinese zodiac, which consists of a cycle of twelve creatures. Purportedly begun in 2600 BC by the Emperor Huang Ti, the cycle is based on the Lunar calendar. Since the Lunar calendar is followed also by the Japanese, Koreans and Vietnamese, it is more accurate to say we are celebrating the Lunar New Year rather than the Chinese New Year. Those born under the symbol of the snake supposedly will have a prosperous year. The snake actually features in the history of the human race from the beginning…
A snake once spoke to the first woman, Eve, and beguiled her to eat of the tree forbidden by God.1 She in turn persuaded her husband, Adam, to eat from the same tree. The serpent was none other than Satan. Two consequences followed the disobedience of Adam and Eve.2 Firstly, the human race became guilty before God because Adam was their representative head. The good relationship with God was broken. Death, decay, and suffering, came to the human race. The principle of representation is not difficult to understand. If the president of a country were to declare war on another country, all the citizens are at war since he represents them all.
Secondly, the sinful nature of Adam and Eve was passed down to their descendants who constitute the human race. Unlike animals, which were created in different species, genera (singular, “genus”) and families, the human race constitute one species. Just as physical characteristics are inherited from the parents, so are invisible characteristics. That accounts for why human beings share the same physical and behavioral characteristics. We have two eyes and not three, two ears and not one, one mouth and not two. Similarly, we have two lungs, one heart and one stomach. We cry in pain, laugh in joy, express love and hatred, and are capable of jealousy, cheating and lying. Our sinful nature causes us to rebel against God, to break His commands, and to insist on our own ways. We do not worship God as we ought, and live as we like in accordance to our sinful nature.
We are guilty in the sin of Adam. We are also guilty for the many sins we have committed against God. We deserve eternal damnation from the God we have offended. No amount of good deeds can make up for our offence against Him. Nothing we do can change our sinful nature. To be accepted by God, our guilt against Him must be cancelled, and a perfect righteousness must be found to cover our sinfulness. What are we to do to be saved?
There was a time when the Israelites were bitten by fiery serpents in judgement for their sins. God, in His mercy, commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent which was raised up on a pole. The dying Israelites who looked up to the raised serpent survived. This was to indicate that one day the Saviour would come to die on the cross for the sins of His people, and to give them eternal life. That Saviour is none other than Jesus Christ.3 The sinner who repents and trusts in Jesus Christ is considered to have died with Him and to be raised with Him. The guilt of his sins is cancelled by Christ’s death on the cross, while Christ’s righteousness is reckoned to be his. The sinner who is united to Christ by faith is declared no more guilty, and treated as righteous, by God.4
Jesus Christ is the antidote for those who have been stung by the serpent of old. You must turn to Christ to be saved. You must look to Him as your Saviour. Trust in Him, and you will be given eternal life!
1 Gen. 3; 2 Rom. 5:10-19; 3 John 3:14-15; 4 2 Cor. 5:21
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