I love this moment and this image from the movie, The Passion of the Christ. The last week I’ve been talking with people about temptation and last night I mentioned this scene. Jesus is in the garden praying to God. And Satan is there tempting him, “It’s too much, you can’t bear the sin of the whole world.” Jesus keeps praying though. And when the snake comes slithering up, he stomps on it. That’s Jesus’ response. Prayer and stomping on the snake. That’s what you can see right there. Jesus fulfilling that prophecy that the snake would strike, but he would crush it’s head.
That’s an inspiring piece for me. There are so many times when we feel temptation speaking to us. Whether it’s through another person, media, or even just that kind of Satanic voice or little devil guy on our shoulder. You hear it. You feel it. But this image reminds us that Jesus faced temptation, he prayed, and he stomped on it. And when he took the weight on himself in the cross and rose again, he empowered us to do the same. So this week as you feel that temptation slithering up, remember this image of Jesus foot crushing the snake. And do a little stomping yourself too!
