Understanding Christ's Human Nature and Adam's Legacy

Jesus Christ did take upon Himself human nature in its fallen condition, accepting the results of the law of heredity after the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sinCSA 6.8+2. While He took our nature with its infirmities and weaknesses, He did not take the taint of sin or any evil propensities13MR 18.1+2.

The Nature Christ Assumed

• A Weakened Heritage: Jesus did not enter the world in the strength of Adam's original perfection; instead, He accepted humanity when the physical strength, mental power, and moral worth of the race had been decreasing for four millennia17MR 28.4+1.

• The Law of Heredity: Like every child of Adam, He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity as shown in the history of His earthly ancestorsCSA 6.8+1.

• Sinless but Fallen: He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, yet He remained a "holy thing," entirely free from corruption or an inclination to sin Romans 8:3-4+17ABC 448.2+1.

• No Evil Propensities: It is vital to understand that while He was tempted in all points as we are, there was not for one moment an evil propensity within Him13MR 18.1+1.

Comparison Between the Two Adams

The contrast between the first and second Adam highlights the depth of Christ's sacrifice:

• Adam's Advantage: The first Adam stood in the strength of perfect manhood, surrounded by the glories of Eden and without the taint of sin17MR 28.4+1.

• Christ's Humiliation: The second Adam met the tempter in a desolate wilderness, bearing the infirmities and degeneracy of a race that had fallen far from its original state17MR 28.4+1.

• Victory Over Failure: Christ passed over the very ground where Adam stumbled and fell, redeeming Adam's disgraceful failure through His own perfect obedience9MR 236.1+2.

The Purpose of His Incarnation

• To Be Our Example: By taking our nature, Jesus demonstrated that fallen human beings can keep the law of God through union with the divine nature18MR 331.4+1.

• A Faithful High Priest: He took on the seed of Abraham so that He could be a merciful and faithful High Priest, able to succor those who are tempted because He Himself suffered under temptation Hebrews 2:16-18BEST January 6, 1896, page 4.4.

• The Golden Chain: His humanity is the golden link that binds our souls to God, reaching down to man in his lowest depths of degradation to uplift him17MR 28.4+1.

• Vantage Ground: Through His victory in our fallen nature, He placed man on vantage ground where we can become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world 2 Peter 1:49MR 236.1+1.

A Divine Mystery

The incarnation remains a mystery that is unexplained to mortals: how Christ could be tempted in all points like as we are, and yet be without sin7ABC 448.2. We must be exceedingly careful not to make Him "altogether human, such an one as ourselves," for He mysteriously blended the human and divine natures into one person7ABC 448.2+1. This union of divinity and humanity is what makes salvation possible for every son and daughter of Adam who accepts Him21MR 418.5+1.