The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

JESUS AS THE LAST ADAM

It has been said that those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. To reinterpret this quote in light of redemptive history, one might say that believers who fail to understand where they have come from will also fail to understand where humanity has been, where they themselves, as followers of Christ, are now and where they are going.

Paul helps his readers see the overwhelming consequence of Adam’s sin. When the “one man” of verse 12 disobeyed God’s direct command, sin and death entered the world. Adam represented all future humanity. He was, in many ways, the first and best hope of humanity: there was and never would be a more idyllic situation in which to have perfect and unbroken fellowship with God, and yet he fell. With Adam’s choice to sin came the inherited implications to every person born into Adam’s race: namely, that all people have a sinful nature at their core. All people are born into sin; all are under the curse of disobedience that came from the Garden of Eden. Any parent can testify to the truth that they never taught their toddlers how to be selfish; they came by that inclination naturally.

But Jesus Christ is the new and last Adam. Adam faced temptation in the garden under the best of circumstances; Jesus Christ faced temptation in another garden under the worst of circumstances. Adam bent to his selfish pride and desire to be like God. Jesus withstood temptation and submitted himself to the will of God. Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” (Ro 5:18). But there’s even more.

As Paul wrote, although the disobedience that brought about condemnation and alienation was purely evil, the work of Jesus did more good. Through the cross, Jesus overcame sin and death and is now able to bring sons and daughters of God into glory. Where Adam failed, Jesus won.

Jesus, I know I was born like Adam—sinful, selfish, fallen—and I know that on my own, I had no hope for redemption. I cannot thank you enough for redeeming me through your death on the cross. Amen.