Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19 NIV
In Paul’s New Testament letters, he occasionally refers to what Jesus Christ accomplished by comparing Him to Adam, the original man. He contrasts Adam, the first man, with Christ, described as the "last Adam" or "second man.” This comparison highlights Jesus' role in reversing the effects of Adam's sin and offering redemption through His own obedience and resurrection. Jesus left His status and place as God in heaven and came here to identify with us to help us. Where the first man Adam failed, Jesus succeeded, offering the path to salvation and eternal life.
Some deep theological works have been written about the first and second Adam concept, but just two sections in the biblical record give us a most helpful and inspiring picture of what Jesus did.
Genesis 3 records Satan’s original attempts to deceive and destroy mankind through Adam. Adam and Eve had needs for security, significance, and acceptance, which were all being met by God, their Creator. Satan tempted them to believe that God was withholding, and they should be the ultimate authorities for their own lives. They gave in to the temptation and immediately their deep needs were no longer met but replaced by fear and shame. Their sense of failure brought havoc into their lives, affecting their relationships with God and each other.
Matthew 4 talks about Satan’s assumption that since Jesus had come to earth to identify with man, he would fall to Satan’s persuasive pressure to take control of meeting His own needs, just aa Adam did. He tempted Jesus to provide His own security by turning stones into bread to feed His hunger after 40 days of fasting. He urged Jesus to perform to prove His power and significance, to show He was greater than Satan. He tried to convince Jesus to gain acceptance by pleasing people and misdirecting worship. But everywhere Adam failed, Jesus, the second Adam, succeeded. Even though He was God’s beloved Son, God Himself, He refused the very human temptation to take things from His Father’s hands into His own. Because of that, God’s plan for our salvation was secured, and the second Adam’s obedience made the Father-son relationship with God possible again.
- Jesus proved that true security, significance, and acceptance are always found with our Father, and He leads the way.