Connect 1 John 3:8 with Genesis 3:15 regarding Jesus' mission. Jesus’ Mission Announced in Eden • Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” • Right after the Fall, God promises a “Seed” who will battle the serpent. • Two key details: – “Crush your head” — a fatal blow to Satan. – “Strike his heel” — real suffering for the victorious Seed. • The entire storyline of Scripture flows from this pledge of a conquering Redeemer. The Destroyer of the Devil’s Works • 1 John 3:8: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” • John echoes Eden’s promise: Jesus came specifically to dismantle everything the serpent introduced—sin, death, bondage, deception. • “Destroy” (Greek luō) means to loose, undo, dismantle—He doesn’t merely wound the enemy; He makes his works powerless. From Promise to Fulfillment • How Jesus delivers the head-crushing blow: – Incarnation: the eternal Son steps into human flesh (John 1:14). – Sinless life: He offers the righteousness Adam lost (2 Corinthians 5:21). – Cross: Satan’s apparent victory becomes his undoing (Colossians 2:14-15; John 19:30). – Resurrection: death itself is shattered (Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 1:18). • Heel struck → crucifixion pain and death. Head crushed → resurrection triumph and ongoing reign (Acts 2:32-36; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Ongoing Victory for God’s People • Romans 16:20: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” • Believers share in Christ’s triumph: – New birth severs sin’s dominion (1 John 3:9; Romans 6:6-14). – Spiritual warfare continues, but the outcome is settled (Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7). – Final consummation awaits when the serpent is forever removed (Revelation 20:10). Why It Matters Today • Assurance: Jesus’ mission guarantees Satan’s defeat and our freedom. • Identity: We live as children of the woman’s victorious Seed, not as pawns of the serpent. • Hope: Every sorrow is temporary; the crushed head means a healed creation is on the way. |
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