Choices

As our title suggests, we’re talking about choices today. More specifically, we’re looking at the choices of two men: Jesus of Nazareth and Adam, the first man.

Before we get into this, let’s look at two Bible passages.

Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. Ro. 5:14

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 1 Cor. 15:45

What’s a type, you say? Glad you asked.

Typology is a method of biblical interpretation where something or someone we see in the Old Testament is a picture of sorts of something/someone we will later experience in the New Testament.

Disclaimer: If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of types, it will benefit you to head over to Romans 5:12-21 and see the comparison and contrast between Adam and Jesus, the Christ.

We’ll only look at one example.

The first Adam was in a garden and submitted to his own will instead of the will of his Father. (Gen. 3:6) By Adam’s choices, sin entered the world, and through sin, death. (Ro. 5:12)

The second Adam, Jesus, the Christ, was in a garden and submitted his will to the will of his Father through grueling prayer and intersession, causing him to sweat blood. (Luke 22:44) Jesus’ choices lead to justification and life for all men. (Ro 5:18)

Now, let’s travel back in time together and view the choices of two men, which had two utterly different outcomes.

Adam and Eve awake in the beauty of perfection. Their bodies aren’t sore from sleeping on the ground. They don’t have mosquito bites. They don’t need a cup of coffee to get them going.

They hop up, full of joy and peace. Who knows, maybe they skipped through the Garden and splashed in the river. Perhaps they rode on the back of a crocodile and hugged a lion. Okay, I know the imagery is silly, but admit it, if a lion wouldn’t rip your face off, you’d love to give it a big ol’ hug. Anyway, I digress.

At some point, Adam and Eve make their way to the middle of the Garden, and that’s when they see it—the forbidden tree. The words of GOD undoubtedly echo in their thoughts, ‘Don’t eat the fruit from the tree in the midst of the Garden.’

“Adam, come on, let’s have a closer look,” Eve says.

Cautiously but filled with curiosity, they approach the tree. Still, they’re careful to keep their distance. After all, Eve thinks she’ll die if she touches the tree.

Enter temptation:

“Come closer; I won’t bite,” the Serpent hisses.

“It’s not you I’m concerned about,” Eve says, motioning toward the tree.

“Awe, that’s right. God said, ‘You can’t eat any fruit…’ Too bad, it’s delicious.”

“We can eat fruit,” Eve said. “We just can’t touch or eat the fruit of this tree, or we’ll die.”

“Who says?” the Serpent hisses.

“God,” Eve replies.

“You really think touching this delicious-looking fruit will make you drop dead? Nonsense. God knows that when you eat this, you’ll become like him. You’ll know good and evil.”

Enter the choice

“Well, it does look delightful and good to eat,” Eve says.

“Of course, it’s good,” the Serpent hisses. “Isn’t everything God creates good?”

“So, when I eat this, it’ll make me as wise as God?”

“I can promise you’ll never see things the same again,” the Serpent persists.

Do the temptations Eve faced sound familiar?

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16)

ENTER JESUS into the Garden

Picture this, Jesus knows he’s approaching the end. His passion will soon be upon him. The weight of what he will face weighs upon him. He’s literally carrying the weight of the world upon his shoulders as he and his disciples head into the Garden.

“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch,” Jesus says to his disciples.

Whereas the first Adam didn’t even put up a fight for the will of GOD, the second Adam went deep into the Garden, knelt down, and prayed.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” Jesus cries out.

Although in agony, he prays more earnestly. 

Something trickles down his cheek. He reaches up and rubs it away to find not sweat but blood. Soon, great drops of Messiah’s blood drip from his face as he battles in prayer for the strength to submit his will completely to the will of the Father.

You see, Jesus was in flesh, like ours, but without the original sin. He still had to go to war against his will and temptations. (Heb. 4:15)

GOD didn’t create us as puppets. Instead, he gives us the choice to obey him. We show where our loyalty lies when we submit our will to the will of GOD. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

There’s never been a greater example of submission than Messiah contending for the will of his Father in that Garden.

I always teach that we must be in Gethsemane before we face the cross. Jesus didn’t wait until he was walking up the hill to fight for the will of GOD to prevail. No, he went into the Garden, fought against his will and submitted it to the Father. When he left the Garden, he was fully committed to the passion without reservation.

Choices have consequences.

Adam’s choice brought sin, and sin brought death.

Jesus’ choice brought him to the place where he paid the price of sin: death on the cross. 

Consider this: John 10:17 For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

So what’s the takeaway?

Some of us, like Adam, have stood in the face of temptation, and instead of contending for the will of the Father, we’ve fallen for the cunning tricks of the serpent.

When that happens, it brings fear, shame, guilt, and condemnation.

BUT there is good news.

John 3:17 For God DID NOT send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Some of us are scared that we’ve gone too far this time. Maybe GOD won’t forgive me again. Maybe I’m no longer loveable.

Can I tell you something?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I won’t say that sin doesn’t have consequences. After all, we can read Genesis 3:14-19 and understand that it does. Still, GOD is the good father and we can even trust his stripes. Adam and Eve suffered consequences, but GOD still prepared a way for them to have a relationship with him.

Today, if you’re feeling separated from GOD. If your heart is heavy, don’t run to the bushes and attempt to cover yourself with a fig leaf. Instead, run to the Father and cry out for his will to prevail in your life.