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Here’s Satan’s first appearance in the account of our early days in God’s creation being crafty and asking a question that insinuates that either Eve’s recollection is wrong, or the direction given by God is a liability. That’s the thing to look for in life, the places where you question your own conscience that has been shaped by God’s authority, or you entertain doubts about God’s intent.

The prophet Zechariah is pulling back the curtain so we can see the Spiritual Warfare going on. He shows us Jeshua, a priest who has lead a motley crew from exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s Kingdom. It’s a daunting, discouraging task. And there’s Satan accusing, making it clear that Jeshua is not up to it. I like God’s refusal to even entertain the notions Satan is pitching. Yes, Jeshua may be a little singed, but God has a purpose for him, has pulled him out of the fire, and will see him through it.

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:9&10 ESV If you’ve heard of the title War of the Worlds, you’ve probably heard of Orson Welles famous radio adaption in 1938. Welles’ broadcasts about alien invaders landing in New York state caused panic throughout the country. People thought the broadcast was real, despite the fact that the broadcast itself had warned people it was fictional. They had been told the truth by Welles, but people went on believing what they wanted to believe. The Bible also gives us a truth that people are too quick to ignore; Satan is real. His attacks are real.

This week we will see that there are two responses to the kingdom of God: The first response is to worship God, which leads to peace, courage, and life. The second response is to worship something else, which only leads to insecurity, oppression, and self-destruction. The ramifications of our choice are profound.

Through the waters of baptism, we are given a new identity.

Close your eyes and watch Lazarus stumbling his way out of the tomb. He’s miraculously alive yet still dragging the things of death. We do that, too. Christ’s death and resurrection gives us new life that is not defined as a journey to death. It’s life lived now in God’s love, to be fully lived when we pass into eternity. Why do we drag the trappings of the grave along with us?

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Jesus