Satan's hands

 

Our youngest daughter and I recently went to the Passion Play in Drumheller, Alberta. There were several scenes that left a lasting impact on me, even though I've seen it before. The one that I've been giving the most thought to is the quick succession of "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" and "No, Lord! This - the death and resurrection - shall never happen to you!" In quick succession, the disciple went from hearing, "You are Peter [Stone] and on this rock [the confession of Who Christ is] I will build my Church" to "Get behind me, Satan!" I was jarred by the clash of "You are Stone" to "Get behind me, Satan!" 

I mentioned after the performance how that rattled me - and how, in this quick succession of events, we find a lesson and stern warning from our Saviour. Confess Christ as Lord, and we partner with Him in establishing the Church. Deny, downplay, or detract from the cross and resurrection, and we reach for the sinister hand of Satan himself. 

Photo: Wikipedia -
Leo and Diane Dillon (cc)

Of course, Satan seldom comes looking like the image at the beginning of this blog. C. S. Lewis portrayed our enemy well when he brought the White Witch riding up in her beautiful sleigh, offering Turkish Delight. The enemy of our souls offers an irresistible confection! It rolls across the tongue with sweet satisfaction. We can feed on this mouth watering delicacy to our heart's content - and with every bite, we flood our soul with death... and Satan laughs.

I suppose I was especially taken by the scene in the play because I've frequently been reminded of another role that Satan plays as described in Revelation 12:10 - the accuser of God's people. I have at times run headlong toward Satan, grabbed his hand, and joined in the chorus of accusations against the Body of Christ. When people from the Church hurt me, or especially my family, I am quick to recount their failings - repeatedly - but not so quick to lavish grace.

I've seen a pattern here. Borrowing from C. S. Lewis, the White Witch offers God's children that Turkish Delight in whatever form seems most desirable, and every believer has had times when we've been quick to snatch it up and gobble it down. Then we find the blame all over our selfish faces and the finger of blame pointed at us. "Look at that! What a mess! It's all over! You failed!" When that failure causes damage (what sin doesn't?), other Christians can be tempted to parrot Satan himself. "You... you... are beyond forgiveness!"

Bashing the Body of Christ and denying the power of His blood shed for sins, all in one sweeping blow - we have joined hands with our worst enemy. Jesus speaks again, "Get behind me, Satan!" Then with grace that just never ends, Christ reaches out and offers His hand. Now to release our grip on the filth that beckons and grasp the pierced hands of Jesus.