The Childish Commission

We have considered the Epiphany of God this morning, the manifestation of God as a human, but not merely a human, a human child. God’s infinite wisdom is manifest in the childlike audacity and daring of an infant playing near a viper’s den, a toddler leading wild animals about and teaching their children to play together. Jesus came as the Child King and played with the great serpent, even Satan, the devil, and having charmed that snake, crushed his head in the cross. But Jesus is the Child King of God, and he leads his people in this same kind of conquest of the world. If Jesus came doing childish things like playing with wild animals, he has likewise sent us into the world to play with snakes and wild animals. He sends us into the world and commands us to fear not for he will be with us. Even the serpents will not harm us. Whether they be old family tensions, financial troubles, coworkers, employers, or any other challenges or hardships, we serve the Child King who plays with danger and is not afraid of the risks. But ultimately we should expect no less from the God who manifests his wisdom to us week after week by giving us a meal like this. Here, God gives us a bite of bread and mouthful of wine and says, every time you do this, you proclaim the victory of God. This could only be dreamed up by a child, a child who does not read the Wall Street Journal or pay attention to international politics or watch the Dow Jones Industrial averages or follow the latest blog controversy or keep up with our petty squabbles and fights. Only a kid would decide that he was going to take over the world with a little bit of water, a little bit of bread, and a little bit of wine. And that is precisely what he is doing. We serve the God who has been manifest as the Child King. Therefore come, eat and drink and be merry because nothing can stop him.