The Child Who Took on the Serpent

I reach for a stick whenever I spot the snake that frequently crawls into my garden. Humans, except for some religious groups that worship them, naturally hate and harm these animals. The residents of the Shetpal Village in Maharashtra allow even cobras to stay in their homes. This village is unique in its attitude to these crawling creatures.

However, this passage is not about the eternal enmity between snakes and humans; its scope is much beyond the context. In the Christian tradition, it is known as “Protoevangelium,” or the first announcement of the gospel which is fulfilled in the incarnation and ministry of the Lord Jesus.

Though the creature that deceived Eve is called the serpent, in the larger context of the Bible, it represents Satan, who is against God and humans. The Book of Revelation identifies it with “the great dragon,” “the ancient serpent,” and “the devil and Satan” (Rev 12:9; 20:2).

The New Testament claims that Jesus Christ bruised the serpent's head on the cross. He destroyed the one who has the power of death, Satan (Heb 2:14). The Biblical narrative progresses from the Garden of Eden to reach its climax on the Cross. But passes through the valley of Bethlehem, where the Son of God was born to a woman who surrendered her life to God.