How to See Life in 321 - a Guide to John's GospelНамуна

What is humanity like?

Some people are optimistic about human nature, some are pessimistic. Some think humans are angels, some think we’re beasts. And we can change our minds about this multiple times each day, depending on blood sugar levels — and the particular humans we happen to meet!

The Bible says there is a split-ness to the world and a split-ness to humanity — a TWO-ness. Humanity, the way it’s meant to be, is represented by Jesus. On the other hand, humanity in its frailty and failure is represented by Adam, the Bible’s first human.

‘Adam’ is a Hebrew word that just means ‘Humanity,’ and the story of Adam is so helpful in depicting human nature. Adam (or Humanity) was in a garden paradise, that’s how Genesis begins. He had the world at his feet but he rejected his Maker and grasped at life on his own terms. Everything fell apart. We now live in Adam’s world — a fallen world. And things are not the way they should be.

Jesus is the ‘Second Adam’, that’s how Christians have understood Jesus ever since John’s Gospel (and the rest of the New Testament, see 1 Corinthians 15, for instance). It’s a phrase used to describe Jesus as the true Humanity. He’s the answer to Adam — the Good Adam. In today’s reading, John 18, we see Jesus in a garden. It’s all so reminiscent of Genesis. But where Adam was cowardly and fell, Jesus was courageous and stood up for his friends. He is the true Humanity.

As you read John chapter 18, look out for its depictions of humanity. You will meet all sorts. There are followers of Jesus, led by Peter. You will also encounter Jewish priests, Roman soldiers, and Pilate—the Roman governor. None of them act with the courage, poise, wisdom, and sacrificial love of Jesus. All of humanity — whether rich or poor, powerful or weak, Jewish or Roman — is frail and failed. We are all ‘in Adam,’ so to speak. Thank God for Jesus and the salvation he has come to bring.