Reflecting on Luke 23:44-49“Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47)
Christians have speculated about the divine nature of Jesus from the beginning.
But the really significant thing about Jesus is what kind of human He was.
The Roman soldier sees the uniqueness of Jesus as a righteous man.
In Mark’s account, the soldier says ‘Son of God’ (Mark 15:39).
Luke also uses the phrase ‘Son of God’ to describe Adam (Luke 3:38).
The first Adam created the barrier between God and humans; here Jesus tears it down.
Jesus perfectly reflects the love of and goodness of God, the first human to pass the test at the tree.
We can only speculate about how Jesus relates to the being and essence of God.
But one thing is clear, He is in the image and likeness of God, ‘very good’ as Adam was made to be.
And as such, the curse of death cannot hold Him – there’s no sin to hold on to.
Jesus reverses the curse, and reclaims Adam’s right to rule (the kingdom of God).
Jesus dies a death He doesn’t deserve, so we can receive the life we don’t deserve.
I am not denying that Jesus is somehow the divine Logos/Word made flesh (John 1).
But the really great news is that as a human He reclaims Adam’s position, and ours.
Jesus makes it possible for us to say ‘Father’, and for God to say ‘my child!’
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You are Who we were supposed to be. You were forsaken for us, so that we might we raised up with You! Help me by Your Spirit to start living the righteous Adam life of God-like love, the way I was made to be!