Something about Crushing a Snake's Skull

A vivid reminder from Russell Moore about Jesus' clear understanding of his own identity as the Son of God and as the second Adam, as he moved from his baptism to his temptation in the wilderness:

"If you had stood there by the Jordan River, watching the scene at the baptism of Jesus, you might have braced yourself for a shock wave of glory. After all, the God of Israel had just unveiled - publicly, audibly, visually - his promised Messiah.  The villagers around you might have been chattering about great things - the overthrow of Rome, the throne of David, shock and awe.  You might have waited to watch this new king unleash his Spirit power.  Instead, though, you would see him shake out the water from his hair, pause and look at the mud on the bank, and then walk off toward the desert.  As he passed by you, you might have heard him whisper to himself, something about crushing a snake's skull.  Jesus knows who he is."

--Russell Moore, Tempted and Tried 

The Name of Jesus

Consider the multitude of ways hymnwriters have incorporated the power and comfort of Jesus' name into many of our most beloved hymns.

Charles Wesley:

Jesus, the name that charms my fears,
That bids my sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears;
‘Tis life and health and peace.

John Newton:

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

Edward Perronet:

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.

Frederick Whitfield:

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds as music in my ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Oh, how I love Jesus...

Luther Bridgers:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know;
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

Lydia Baxter:

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n!

Jesus, Our Supreme Treasure

"When a person is born anew and experiences repentance, his attitude about Jesus changes. Jesus himself becomes the central focus and supreme value of life. Before the new birth happens and repentance occurs, a hundred other things seem more important and more attractive....But when God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure."

--John Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World