How could Jesus be truly human if he never sinned? Isn’t our imperfection part of what it means to be human? On the contrary, Jesus represented humanity better than anyone else.

Adamic Covenant: Cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28: God’s command to spread the Garden of Eden throughout the world to make it his dwelling place. Though it fails in the beginning, God never abandons this plan.

I. Jesus’ Redemptive Accomplishment Far Surpasses the Effects of Adam’s Fall.

Luke 4:1-13

“Adam” ideas in this passage:

- Jesus is tempted by the devil, specifically with regard to food, just as Adam and Eve were.

- Jesus is called “the Son of God,” just as Adam is in Luke 3:38.

But notice the differences:

- Adam was tempted in Paradise; Jesus in the desert.

- Adam failed, but Jesus succeeded.

Jesus overcame a much greater temptation than Adam ever did.

Romans 5:12-21

Key idea in the passage: “much more”

1. How Adam and Christ Are Similar. Comparison in v. 12 breaks off for explanation in vv. 13-14: how can all people be guilty of sin if not all have had access to the Law? Paul’s argument indicates that all human beings are under the Law because they are related to God through Adam, their covenant head. Bottom line: Adam’s actions extend way beyond Adam himself. He has set the destiny of us all.

- Paul does not resume the comparison until vv. 18-19: this is how Adam and Christ are alike: they both stand as covenant heads of humanity whose actions determine the destiny of those under them.

- By the way, some have argued that Adam is not a historical person; if that is the case, Paul’s argument in this passage collapses.

2. How Adam and Christ Are Different. V. 15: “much more”; v. 16: one trespass vs. many trespasses; v. 17: “much more”. Vv. 20-21: where sin abounded, grace “superabounded.”

Jesus does not simply restore us to a state of innocence like Adam in the garden; he glorifies us, making us what Adam should have been.

1 Corinthians 15:42-49

Contrast between the body that dies and that is raised:

- vv. 42-43: present body is perishable, sown in dishonor, sown in weakness; future body is imperishable, raised in honor, raised in power.

- v. 44: Contrast now focuses on two words “natural” (Greek psychikos) and “spiritual” (Greek pneumatikos)

- vv. 45-46: The first man Adam became a living psyche, the last Adam became a life-giving pneuma.

- Notice that, even in his state of innocence, Adam did not have a “spiritual” body. He was not corrupted, but he was corruptible. Christ raises us to a glorified state in which corruption is no longer possible.

- vv. 47-49: Christ is “the man of heaven” as opposed to the “man of dust.” This seems to refer, not specifically to origin, but to quality. The “earthly” body is perishable, but the “heavenly” body is imperishable, etc.

- When we come to share in the resurrection that has begun in Jesus, we surpass in glory even Adam’s state in the Garden.

II. Jesus’ Redemptive Accomplishment Results in the Fulfillment of the Cultural Mandate.

Romans 8:18-25

- Creation has been subjected to futility (v. 20). What does that mean? Creation was frustrated in its original purpose to be a temple of God. Humanity failed to mediate God’s rule over creation in accord with Gen. 1:28.

- So creation groans now in anticipation. Of what? The “revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19). Note the parallel in v. 23: “adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

- The resurrection of believers will ultimately result in the renewal of creation itself. In the beginning, God created a place and then created people to dwell in it. In the new creation, he reverses the order.

- Bottom line: The cultural mandate will be fulfilled.

The fulfillment of the cultural mandate results in the final phase of the kingdom of God. God will have a people dwelling with him in the place that he has established for them forever. In the remaining two lessons we will focus on the questions of people (Israel and the church) and place (Eden, Canaan, and the new creation).

Christ the Last Adam