Christ as a Second Adam
What a contrast the second Adam presented as He entered the
gloomy wilderness to cope with Satan single-handed. Since the fall,
the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and sinking
lower in the scale of moral worth, up to the period of Christ’s advent
[33]
to the earth. In order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him
where he was. He took human nature, and bore the infirmities and
degeneracy of the race. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He
humiliated Himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that He might
be qualified to reach man and bring him up from the degradation in
which sin had plunged him.
“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their
salvation perfect through sufferings.”
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him.”
“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour
them that are tempted.”
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.”
Satan had been at war with the government of God since he first
rebelled. His success in tempting Adam and Eve in Eden and intro-
ducing sin into the world had emboldened this arch foe; and he had
proudly boasted to the heavenly angels that when Christ should appear,
taking man’s nature, He would be weaker than himself, and that he
would overcome Him by his power.
He exulted that Adam and Eve in Eden could not resist his insin-
uations when he appealed to their appetite. The inhabitants of the
old world he overcame in the same manner, through the indulgence
[34]
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