“Just as death came into the world through a man (Adam), now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man (Christ). Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.” (I Cor 15:21-22)
The Making of a Man #2 Adam
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went camping. As they lay down for the night, Sherlock said, “My dear Watson, using your sharp powers of observation look into the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson gazed intently in awe, “Why, I see a host of stars.” Sherlock replied, “And what does it tell you?” Watson replied, “Astronomically, it tells me there are billions of galaxies. Theologically, it tells me God is great and we are small. Meteorologically, it tells me tomorrow will be beautiful as there are no clouds. And what does it tell you, Holmes?” Sherlock sighed, “It tells me that somebody stole our tent!”
Of all the men in the Bible only two experienced a perfect, personal, untainted, unblemished, unobstructed, sinless relationship with the living God of creation in unbroken fellowship…Jesus (The Son of God) and Adam (a son of God). Though tempted in all things just like us, Jesus never yielded to satan’s lies (Heb 2:18; 4:14-16; Matt 4:1-11). But Adam (lit. ‘man’), though he was created by God without sin (Gen 1:26-27; 2:7), caved to the lies of satan (John 8:44; 10:10) who then stole the ‘tent’ (covering) of his perfect life and relationship with God
Broken
(Genesis 3:1-24) First, note the four broken relationships and what was ‘stolen’ when Adam fell for satan’s lies (Rom 1:18-23, 25) and disobeyed God.
IDENTITY and PURPOSE in relation to self (3:5, 7),
SECURITY and FELLOWSHIP in relation to God (3:8, 19-24),
UNITY and INTIMACY in relation to our wives (3:12,15)
CARE and RESPONSIBILITY in relation to family/others (3:16; 4:1- 15)
In which relationship has satan been lying to you lately? From what relationship has he mainly ‘stolen’? How will you to get it back?
The Remaking of a Man
(Gen 1;26-28; 2:7-9, 15-25; 3:8-24) What are some ways the Lord got Adam’s attention both before and after his fall? How has God used these to get yours?
How did God use some of these same ‘attention getters’ as chisels in Adam’s life to carve, make and mold this man into His masterpiece after he had fallen? How has God used these same chisels in your life?
(Gen 2:26-3:24) Over the 930 years (Gen 5:4) of Adam’s life what aspects of God’s character (i.e. grace, power, wisdom, sovereign control, forgiveness, love, glory, etc.) did He reveal to this man? What aspects of His character has He revealed as of late for which you are thankful?
In what ways does this man’s story (experience) intersect with your story? How did the following Bible Project video help clarify the overlapping of your story with God’s bigger story of His glory?
Romans 5:14 says that although Adam was an actual man, as the very first man he “was a type (symbol, illustration) of Christ who was to come” whose life pointed to Someone greater than himself…. Jesus! In 1 Corinthians 15:22 God then teaches that “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” In order to illustrate the depth of His redemptive plan and to give hope that what has been broken or stolen can be restored and reclaimed, Jesus is called the “last” (ultimate or final) Adam” (I Cor 15:45; I Pet 1:18).
First Adam...Last Adam
Tag Teams
Reflect deeply on the following comparison adapted from the insights of Shane Morris. Which of the following comparisons most capture your heart and point you to God’s amazing grace through Christ? Why?
The first Adam became a living being (Gen 1:26-27; 2:7). The Last Adam became a life-giving spirit (John 1:4-5; 10:10).
The first Adam gained a wife when God opened his side (Gen 2:21- 25). The Last Adam gained a bride when man opened His side (John 19:34; Rev 19:7-9).
The first Adam yielded to temptation in a garden (Genesis 3:6). The Last Adam beat temptation in a garden (Luke 22:42).
The first Adam was born sinless but yielded to sin (Gen 3). The Last Adam was born in a sinful world but remained sinless (Heb 4:14-16).
The first Adam broke his fellowship with God when he listened to satan’s temptation to take and eat (Gen 3:1-7). The Last Adam restores our fellowship with God when we “take and eat” celebrating His body broken for us (Matt 26:26; I Cor 11:23-28).
The first Adam was a man who sought to become like God (Gen 3:5). The Last Adam was God who humbled Himself to become a man (Phil 2:5-8; John 1:14; Matt 1:23).
The first Adam tasted death from a tree (Gen 3:6). The Last Adam tasted death on a tree (Gal 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24).
The first Adam hid from the face of God (Gen 3:8). The Last Adam begged God not to hide His face (Matt 26:39).
The first Adam sinned, became ashamed of nakedness and received clothes (Gen 3:7, 11, 21). The Last Adam’s clothes were stripped off and He took the shame for our sin (Matt 27:28).
The first Adam blamed his bride (Gen 3:12). The Last Adam took the blame for His bride (II Cor 5:21; Heb 12:2; Eph 5:25).
The first Adam brought a curse (Gen 3:17; 8:21). The Last Adam became a curse that He might bless (Gal 3:13).
The first Adam brought death on all his descendants (Rom 6:23). The Last Adam brought life through his death and resurrection (John 11:25-26; 14:6).
The first Adam ate and a covenant was broken (Hosea 6:7). The Last Adam ate and a covenant was established (Matthew 26:26).
The first Adam brought thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). The Last Adam wore thorns and thistles (Matthew 27:29).
Write a prayer of praise from your reflections!