The Last Adam

‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV

The Bible contrasts Adam and Jesus.  This is what the Church Fathers called “Federal Headship,” a doctrine that was picked up again in the Reformation and was strongly emphasized by the Reformers and Puritans.  

Adam is the head of the entire human race, and because he sinned, his descendants — all of us — were born into sin and it brought misery.  Jesus, on the other hand, is the head of a brand new category  of people — people who are born again — and all of those who are in Jesus’ family have the consequences of sin removed and are brought into a new kind of life, one that is abundant and that will last forever.  Adam brought death, Jesus gives life.  Adam brought misery, Jesus brings abundant life.  Adam brought the curse, Jesus offers blessing.  

In the Garden of Eden, there was Adam, Eve, God, and the serpent — the devil.  The devil’s temptation was for Adam to go outside of God to get His desires fulfilled, thus plunging himself, his wife, and their offspring into misery and a life apart from the presence of God.  Adam selfishly took from the tree and gave into the temptation.  

 When Jesus went into the wilderness, there was a similar scenario. He was tempted by the devil to go outside of the Father’s provision to obtain what He desired.  The voice of the serpent was in His ear.  Unlike Adam, Jesus never turned away from the Father, and stayed strong through every temptation.  Because of that, He was able to redeem for Himself a bride and produce a new kind of people — His people, the church.  We were doomed and alienated in the family of Adam, but now Jesus has brought us near and given us hope and a future.  


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This blog is an excerpt from Robert Presson’s devotional book, “Look to Jesus,” available for a donation of any amount at cityrevivalnola.com/give. Please indicate that you would like the book when you give.