Sermon snippet – Messianic Meditations – Part IV
INTRODUCTION – We have been thinking about why Jesus, God the Son, was born. One reason of many is to be, as we just sang, our “Second Adam from above.” Let us read Romans 5:12-21.
- IT IS ALWAYS EASY TO UNDERESTIMATE SIN
Adam broke the only prohibition that God had placed upon him. Because Adam did not die immediately (and, in fact, lived a very long time), it is easy to speculate that sin is not really too serious. However, the effects of the unleashing of sin were seen quickly. In the next generation, worship degenerated, and brother killed brother (Genesis 4:1-12). Within a few generations, we find Lamech (Genesis 4:23-23 – not to be confused with the Lamech of Genesis 5) engaged in bigamy and in murder (of which he bragged, creating perhaps the world’s first rap). Soon after, only one family was left on earth that believed and followed God (Genesis 6); the Flood was God’s righteous judgment at that time. Remember, too, that Adam did eventually die (the sad refrain of Genesis 5 is “and he died”), as did everyone ever born (Romans 5:12-14, with the exceptions of Enoch, Elijah, and Christians alive at the Rapture of the Church). Sin is as bad as it gets.
- AS OUR SECOND ADAM, JESUS DOES NOT SIN
Jesus could not sin. Because He is fully God, He does not possess a sin nature inherited from Adam. Romans 5:19 presents the complete contrast between Adam’s disobedience and Jesus’ obedience. Think of what the obedience of Jesus meant. We like the Christmas story, but in His Incarnation, Jesus left His rightful place in heaven and voluntarily took on the limitations of a human body. In His earthly ministry, Jesus endured misunderstanding, rejection, and betrayal. On the Cross, He suffered physical pain and, far worse, spiritual separation. The obedience of Jesus is as good as it gets.
- INSTEAD OF SIN AND DEATH, JESUS OFFERS US THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE
“Gift” is used six times in Romans 5:15-18. We associate gifts with Christmas. The tradition of Christmas gifts is based upon the presents brought to Bethlehem by the wisemen; it is a good practice based upon historical fact. However, even better is the gift of Jesus Himself.
CONCLUSION – This gift grants us eternal life. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Without Jesus, we are in the first part of this verse; with Jesus, we are in the second. May we all be certain that we have received the gift of Jesus and His everlasting salvation.