Peggy Roe

Gen 3:1-7 NRSV  

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden?’” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened….  

 

Reflection: 

The dreaded message arrived late one December afternoon: the husband of my best friend from high school had lost his battle with stomach cancer and passed away. His suffering was intense, and my friend suffered right along with him. Even though she and I had talked that summer, I kept meaning to call her several times during the ensuing months. She lives in California; I live in Texas. Often, the simple time difference stopped me from making the calls. Now, her husband is gone, and I am filled both with regret – for not having been a faithful friend, and shame – for not having followed through with my good intentions. 

 

Although it is not biblical, the cliché that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” speaks loudly to me. The road I am travelling to this proverbial inferno includes failing to take soup to a friend following her oral surgery; meaning to call my mother’s cousin who is losing her vision at age 94; wishing I had sent a thank-you note to the friend who hosted me for Thanksgiving; delaying plans to arrange dinner with some recent widows; and then being remiss in calling my high school friend and bolstering her spirits. My list of regret and shame is unremittingly longer than my list of relief and gratitude. 

 

Similarly, the story of Adam and Eve demonstrates the couples’ good intentions to follow God’s generous offer to eat of any tree in the garden of Eden except for one: “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17). But the temptation – which appears in the guise of a serpent – to succumb to a selfish desire rather than adhere to a sovereign commitment is too strong. Adam and Eve commit the first sin – the sin of pride – and God casts them out of Eden for failing to act on their good intentions, and in so doing, disobeying. As the progeny of this mystical couple, we are no different. Thinking that we can compensate for bad decisions, we ultimately cast ourselves into self-doubt and deprecation for our failures. Where shall we turn for redemption? 

 

Contrary to one’s expectations when reading the biblical passage, it is the serpent that speaks about redemption when he correctly states that mankind will not die from eating of the tree of knowledge. Redemption comes from God’s grace and mercy and, for us as Christians, through the salvation of His son, Jesus Christ. The road to redemption is not paved with good intentions, it’s paved with acts of righteousness. First, give thanks to God, and next, call your friend.

 

Prayer:  

Gracious heavenly Father, As we step into a new year, we are filled with good intentions about how we are going to maximize the opportunities you have set before us.  Please keep us on the path of righteousness so that we may do your will, meet our commitments, and reflect your desires for our lives.  In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.