The last Adam

Brad has been reading a book by Timothy Keller, called The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. It has been an exciting and encouraging book for him. Occasionally he'll read something to me that really stood out to him. That happened just yesterday, and since then I have enjoyed thinking of the differences between the first Adam and the last Adam (Christ). Here is a quote, from Chapter 14, page 220:



The Son of God was born into the world to begin a new humanity, a new community of people who could lose their self-centeredness, begin a God-centered life, and, as a result, slowly but surely have all other relationships put right as well. Paul calls Jesus "the last Adam." As the first Adam was tested in the Garden of Eden, the last Adam (Jesus) was tested in the Garden of Gethsemane. The first Adam knew that he would live if he obeyed God about the tree. But he didn't. The last Adam was also tested by what Paul called a "tree," the Cross. Jesus knew that he would be crushed if he obeyed his Father. And he still did.



Why did Jeus die for us? What was Jesus getting out of it? Remember, he already had a community of joy, glory, and love. He didn't need us. So what benefit did he derive from this? Not a thing. And that means that when he came into the world and died on the cross to deal with our sins, he was circling and serving us. "I have given them the glory that you gave me" (John 17). He began to do with us what he had been doing with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity. He centers upon us, loving us without benefit to himself.


I hope you are encouraged and challenged by this thought as well! Our Savior lived on this earth, died as a willing sacrifice for our sins, and rose from the dead because He conquered sin and death. Wow! He is so worthy of our honor and glory and praise!