"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."
(1 Corinthians 15:21-23)
The pastors of our church are currently teaching through the book of Matthew. This past Sunday the message was from Matthew 4:1-11...the temptation of Jesus.
There were several observations our pastor made that I have found helpful as I'm considering Christ this advent season and meditating on this...
"though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:6-11)
Jesus came to do what Adam could not do...reconcile us to God.
Try as Adam might, he could never do enough good,
offer enough animal sacrifices, present enough firstfruits
to absolve himself from guilt before God...nor can we...
nor could he propitiate, or totally satisfy, God's demand for
the righteous judgment of his sin...nor can we.
Only a perfect, sinless man could do that...
only Jesus...the Messiah.
Adam was tempted in paradise...the garden of Eden...
where he enjoyed perfect communion with God.
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness...
where the Spirit led him.
Adam was tempted while wanting for nothing...
his belly was full.
Jesus was tempted after 40 days of fasting...
his belly was beyond empty.
Adam had a companion when he was tempted...he was not alone.
Jesus was tempted when he was alone.
Adam had every reason at his disposal to resist temptation...
but he did not.
Jesus had every reason to not be able to resist temptation...
but he did.
Adam's sin resulted in God's righteous judgment of death...
for all creation.
Jesus's sinless death and resurrection resulted in freedom from
God's righteous judgment of death...
for all who believe.
So...Jesus did what Adam could not do...
because Adam was not God...like Jesus was.
And therein is the miracle this advent season leads us to...
God entered this sin-ridden world
to take upon himself and conquer, in Christ, the penalty for sin...
namely eternal death,
to give to those who die to themselves and trust, in Christ,
the righteousness of God...namely eternal life.
Sons of Eve, reward my tidings!
Why should we make gifts to you?
Born is He, the Adam new.
Almighty God, what glad tidings!
Pay my boon, and sing for joy,
for tonight is born our Savior,
the Messiah promised to us,
Man and God, a virgin's boy.
By His birth [and death],
He gives us pardon for the sin and wrong we do.
Born is He, the Adam new.
Almighty God, what glad tidings!
(Anonymous, from Villancicos de diuersos Autores...Venice 1556)
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