Catechism 19

Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour?

Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer.

(New City Catechism)

 

            Yet

Eve’s offspring – like a shoot

            from dead stump –

            will come

and crush the serpent’s

                        head, although

            his heel the snake shall bite.

 

            Though

bitter and long the pain

            and anguish,

            though deep

the venom’s journey,

                        though deadly,

            death shall not rule the day.

 

            Though

our curse, laid upon him

            shall crush and

            kill, he

shall look upon us,

                        his offspring,

            and his days shall be glad.

 

            Look,

you broken: humbled, hope.

            Every creeping

            thing, rejoice!

The earth shall yield

                        its harvest

            and favour ever shine.