Jesus, The Perfect Adam
Who is Jesus to you?
Perhaps, you will say, “he is my Lord and Savior,” others might say, “he is a friend,” or even, “he is the Son of God.” But what do these titles mean for you? What are the implications of these names and descriptions about the person and character of Jesus?
Ever since Christianity began, the identity and character of Jesus, being fully human and yet fully divine, has been a primary concern. While it is the foundation and most significant component of Christianity’s core beliefs, it has also been the cause of confusion if not controversy for many. How can an almighty, holy, and infinite God dwell in a finite and vulnerable creature such as a human being? More so, to elevate a human being to the level of the divine is just unacceptable for some cultures.
Nonetheless, we read in the scriptures that Jesus is recognized as having both human and divine attributes. Apparently, the humanity and divinity of Jesus is not an issue for his followers and for those who believe his message when the Church began.
The opening verses of the book of Hebrews captures one of the early confessions of Christians with regards to the identity and nature of the person of Jesus Christ:
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1–3, NRSV)
Basically, Jesus was referred to as, “the Son” (v. 2). Being God’s son, he is the heir to all things, he is the co-creator with God, he is the reflection of God’s glory and being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. Now, he is sitting at the right hand of God on high.
In the Old Testament, these descriptions are used to describe Adam (a collective term for human beings), and the king in Israel (Psalm 2:6–7; 8:4–6). It seems that the writer of Hebrews was portraying Jesus as the perfect expression of Adam and the Messianic king of Israel. In other words, in Jesus, we can see the fulfillment or the ultimate expression of God’s power and creation in the form of a humble human being.
What are the implications of this for the Church?
First, Jesus is the revealer of the nature and character of God.
Notice how the writer of Hebrews sees Jesus as the culmination of God’s revelation from the prophets in the OT (Heb 1:1–2a). In Jesus, we see a God who desires to be known. By using human prophets and by becoming a human being himself, God is showing that he desires to be known in the language and context that is familiar to us. Therefore, God, through Jesus, is an excellent communicator.
In Jesus, we see a perfect human being who, not only, can articulate clearly the will of God but he also understands people because he listens and he empathizes with us. That is why he is our great High Priest according to Hebrews (4:14–16). In other words, through the Son, we see a perfect human being who is willing to go down to our level, to feel what we feel and speak the way we speak, to help us understand the mind of God.
Second, Jesus rules the world with God.
As the Son, Jesus bears “the glory of the image and likeness of the Father”, therefore, Jesus is introduced as the one who now rules and sustains creation with God just like Adam in Genesis 1 and 2. But how does Jesus rule the world? According to the writer of Hebrews, Jesus was given this power when he sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of sins. In other words, through his sacrificial death, he redeems the whole creation.
In Jesus, we see the power of God’s humility and compassion towards his creation in spite of their sinfulness. He is like a merciful ruler who pardons the iniquity of his subjects and redeems them by his own life. This is radical love. This is why Jesus is such a perfect human being because he was able to forgive and offer his life to sinners and even to his enemies.
Finally, in the future, through Jesus the Son, the glory of creation will be restored.
The author of Hebrews acknowledged that the time when human beings will rule creation is not yet happening because the world is still subjected to death and suffering. However, because Jesus, the perfect Adam, is already sitting at the right hand of God, his rule has already begun, especially in the life of those who believe him (Heb 2:8–9).
Therefore, through Jesus Christ, believers now have a different perspective about their suffering and trials. If God was able to use the suffering of Christ to redeem creation, people now have a new hope that their suffering will be turned into glory by making them holy members of God’s family by becoming brothers and sisters of Christ (Heb 2:11), or they become children of God (in John 1:12).
In the future, when every member of creation is under the lordship of Jesus who suffered and died, both creation and human beings, will be glorified and brought into the family of God. Such a wonderful vision!
In summary, through Jesus, the great revealer and great communicator, we can understand the character and will of God.
We can see the true power and glory of God in the suffering and sacrifice of his Son, Jesus who is the perfect Adam that will rule over creation with God not by dominating it but through humility and selfless sacrifice.
Hence, we look forward with enthusiasm and excitement the restoration of creation under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
The ultimate message of incarnation (God becoming a human being) then is the embodiment of the rule of God, his humility and compassion towards his creation through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Healer, Sanctifier, and coming King.
Hallelujah! Glory to God!
