WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.139 Then the angel left her. So far, the reading of God's Word. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:13.500 We're continuing in this series on the Apostles' Creed. We're now in that third article 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:22.219 of the Creed where we confess that Jesus Christ, the only eternal, only begotten Son of God, 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:29.280 the Father Almighty, our Lord, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.679 That phrase in the Creed is drawn directly from Luke 1, verse 35. And as we think about that phrase, 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:44.179 that great statement of the incarnation, it's also, as we've been doing this series, good to remind 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:54.039 ourselves of some of the benefits that the creeds bring to us. These ecumenical or universal creeds 00:00:54.039 --> 00:01:01.939 of the church are personal, but they're not private. I, as an individual, am confessing my faith, 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:11.000 the faith that I believe, by means of the faith by which I believe. But I'm doing so with the church 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:20.159 of all ages, of all times, of all places. And so the creeds are these corporate, common summaries of 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:26.640 the faith that have been tried and tested by the church around the globe and even handed down through 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:36.099 the centuries. And in an age of ours that is so rootless, this is a wonderful blessing for us to be 00:01:36.099 --> 00:01:43.319 rooted in an ancient faith. And so as we as individuals and together as the local church here 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:51.579 confess our faith using these words of the Apostles' Creed, we should realize that this act involves the 00:01:51.579 --> 00:02:01.000 whole body of Christ in a very positive and lively role. We confess the creed, ex animo is the language we 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:09.099 traditionally use, from the soul. As one of my former teachers liked to say, breathlessly, breathlessly. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:19.500 And as we do so, we remind ourselves of the identity of our God, Father, Son, and Spirit, of His great works, 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:28.219 and of the essence of our faith. And we affirm to our culture and to ourselves as we're constantly being 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:36.520 shaped and even catechized by that culture into the reign of sin and death and evil in the world, 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:47.800 rather than the gospel. As a gathered body right now, that we are explicitly publicly denying all other 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:55.180 pretenders to the divine throne, apart from Jesus Christ. That there is no other pathway to God, 00:02:55.180 --> 00:03:02.040 but through Jesus Christ. God the Son come down to us from heaven to earth, the one who assumed our 00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:09.379 humanity in order to bring us redemption and justification and sanctification and adoption 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:18.319 and glorification and salvation. God the Father acting for us in the Son by the Spirit. 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:26.400 And finally, by our use of the creeds, we are helped to remember that we are ascribing to God alone 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:33.359 the glory and honor that's due to Him as our Creator, but also as our Redeemer. 00:03:34.979 --> 00:03:40.000 The church has concluded here in the creed, but also maybe even more particularly, 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:48.419 perhaps a little more decisively at the ecumenical council in Chalcedon in the year 451, 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:58.420 that Jesus Christ is both truly God and truly man. One person with two natures, divine and human. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:05.539 United in that one person, yet those two natures are not confused, they don't change, 00:04:05.539 --> 00:04:12.479 they don't separate, they're not divided, and that's what we want to think about here this evening together. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:16.740 Three things, first of all, that Jesus is fully God. 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:20.699 Second, that Jesus is also fully human. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:27.420 And third, briefly, what that means for us concerning His present ministry. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:30.420 So first of all, the deity of Christ. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:32.639 Jesus Christ is fully divine. 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.659 B.B. Warfield is a name that doubtless many of you know here, 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:41.079 and in one essay that he wrote on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.839 he made a very interesting statement. 00:04:43.219 --> 00:04:43.779 He said, 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:52.279 The New Testament evidence for the deity of the Lord Jesus is so abundant and persuasive, 00:04:52.599 --> 00:04:56.180 it can be difficult actually to state succinctly. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:05:05.780 And his point is that our tendency to defend the deity of Jesus is to go to a handful of really big texts, 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:07.000 really big passages. 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:14.240 And that's good, that's right, because there are clear, explicit passages that teach that He is God. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:18.120 But Warfield's point is even more than that, 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:24.540 because he's saying that the whole New Testament is predicated on, 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:31.540 is written on the presupposition that the one about whom these books are written is Himself very God. 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:36.180 That it seeps through on each page, in each paragraph. 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:37.400 You cannot miss it. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:42.400 But of course we know that some passages are epitomizing. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:47.340 They summarize for us very clearly the personal identity of Jesus. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.920 That He is Himself God. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:54.860 We think of Hebrews chapter 1. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:59.319 We think even more succinctly of the Gospel of John chapter 1. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:01.080 The opening words there. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:03.660 In the beginning was the Word. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:06.460 And the Word was with God. 00:06:07.020 --> 00:06:09.759 The text says the Word was face to face with God. 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:11.740 And the Word was God. 00:06:13.020 --> 00:06:15.100 He has all the attributes of deity. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:16.460 The title of deity. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:21.120 And yet there's a personal differentiation 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:25.160 between Father and Son. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:26.680 And of course, Spirit. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:30.500 Not in terms of divine being or divine essence. 00:06:31.280 --> 00:06:33.379 But in terms of personal character. 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:36.600 And so wherever you look, 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:39.360 as the church fathers knew and understood so well, 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:43.360 it's not possible to speak about God the Father 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:47.379 without implying that God the Father is Father 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:48.959 because there is God the Son. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:52.819 And it's not possible to speak about God the Son 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:55.019 without implying that there is God the Father. 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:57.500 And so too, if we extended this, 00:06:57.539 --> 00:06:59.919 it's not possible to speak about God the Spirit 00:06:59.919 --> 00:07:03.039 without speaking of God the Father and God the Son. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:06.779 One God drives us to think about the three persons. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:10.979 The three persons drive us to think about one God. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:13.379 You know, that's the mystery of the incarnation. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:19.159 But we read then in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 2 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:22.500 that it's particularly Jesus Christ. 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:26.240 He is the one for whom God created the world. 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:31.379 The writer there is reflecting on Genesis 1 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:35.740 just as John did in verse 1 of chapter 1 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.819 of the Gospel of John, 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:38.980 but doing so from a slightly different angle 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:40.839 because what the writer in Hebrews there 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:45.219 is saying to us when you read about God speaking 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:48.060 in Genesis, understand this, 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.659 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:51.759 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:52.179 --> 00:07:53.479 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:57.159 because He is the creator of all that there is. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.459 He is also the one who governs providence. 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:03.799 Yes, He does so through the work of His Spirit. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:09.300 You know, the Spirit is the perfecter of God's purposes. 00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:13.120 Every act proceeds from the Father in the Son 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:15.220 and is brought to completion, perfection, 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:16.759 by the Spirit. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:20.060 But particularly it's through the Son 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.980 that the very universe is upheld. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.540 And were He to withdraw His hand, 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:29.340 it would collapse entirely. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:33.519 In Him all things hold together. 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:37.019 Colossians 1, verse 16 and 17. 00:08:37.959 --> 00:08:39.399 By Him, Jesus Christ, 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:41.819 all things were created in heaven and earth, 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.919 both visible and invisible, 00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:47.379 created through Him and created for Him. 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:50.379 So that not only in redemption, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.339 but in creation and providence, 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:55.720 the Son is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:09:00.060 I mean, this is a remarkable picture of Jesus Christ. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:03.800 And when we start to understand this, 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:06.259 perhaps we should not be so surprised 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:09.480 when we read a little further in Hebrews 1, 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:11.240 verse 6, 00:09:12.300 --> 00:09:14.660 where God the Father pronounces, commands, 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:17.600 let all my angels worship Him, 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:19.960 God the Son. 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:24.440 You know, we often think about and sing 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:27.519 about the ascension of Jesus Christ, 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:30.700 the angelic response in that great psalm, 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:31.540 Psalm 24. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:36.920 One of the absolute just marvels of our tradition 00:09:36.920 --> 00:09:39.100 is our singing of Psalm 24. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.800 And you can't sing it and not have your heart moved. 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:44.879 And the angels there, as it were, 00:09:44.900 --> 00:09:46.940 are looking over the battlements of heaven, 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:50.900 asking, who is it that's coming back in triumph? 00:09:52.280 --> 00:09:53.600 And the call goes out, 00:09:53.680 --> 00:09:56.440 you ancient gates, lift up your heads, 00:09:56.520 --> 00:09:58.240 you doors be open wide, 00:09:58.420 --> 00:10:00.940 because it's the King of glory coming in. 00:10:01.640 --> 00:10:04.100 He's the King of glory forever to abide. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:08.200 And it's an extraordinary picture of Jesus. 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:13.259 But do you also think about that moment 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.520 when Jesus was conceived in the womb 00:10:15.520 --> 00:10:17.080 of the Virgin Mary 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:21.540 and was utterly dependent on His mother there 00:10:21.540 --> 00:10:25.060 in every way, for every aspect of His life, 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.820 in the darkness of her womb? 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:31.879 And the same command is then ringing through the heavens. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:34.740 Let all my angels worship Him, 00:10:34.920 --> 00:10:36.259 cherubim, seraphim, 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:39.600 gathered around the throne in awe and wonder, 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.059 because the Son of God 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:45.500 was taking human flesh. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:49.019 And all things are to be His, 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:52.679 created for Him and through Him, 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:56.159 appointed heir of all things. 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.819 All things are Jesus Christ. 00:10:57.820 --> 00:11:01.720 And this is why I think 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:05.060 in John's Gospel as well, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.300 he tells us in chapter 12 there, 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:10.780 he references that wonderful vision 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:13.360 of the prophet Isaiah from Isaiah 6. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:17.440 This incredible vision of the glory of God. 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:19.640 And John says, 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:22.320 that was a vision of Jesus Christ. 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:25.160 And think about that vision, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.840 the angelic host there, 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.680 marvelous, glorious. 00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:31.140 Yet they cover their faces, 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:32.340 they cover their feet. 00:11:33.020 --> 00:11:34.800 You know, they are themselves without sin, 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.460 but they're created. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.700 And so as creatures, 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.940 they must veil themselves, 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:41.620 they must tremble in the presence 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:43.000 of the infinite holiness 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.040 and majesty 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:46.540 and glory of God the Son. 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:50.199 Again, as John puts it 00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:51.860 in that prologue to his Gospel, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.219 he was in the beginning, 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:54.799 face to face with God, 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:56.599 because he was God. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.279 And all things were made 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:00.539 through him and for him. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.139 And without him 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.360 was not made anything 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.679 that was made. 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.860 And in him we beheld 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.839 the glory of God. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:13.319 And God is jealous 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.620 for his glory. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.199 God does not share his glory 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:16.980 with any other. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:19.300 But in Jesus Christ, 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:20.600 we see the glory of God. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.520 And when you start 00:12:23.520 --> 00:12:24.940 to put all these pieces together, 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:26.100 you see how the Gospel 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.220 comes to grip you 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.700 when you learn who it is. 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:30.980 Who it is who has come for you. 00:12:32.140 --> 00:12:33.500 When that finally gets 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:36.060 preached into our hearts, 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:37.320 when it penetrates 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:38.360 our very being. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.600 Because the incarnation 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.580 does not mean 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:43.980 that Jesus was a little baby. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:47.440 it's not a nativity set. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:50.240 But it means that the creator 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:52.580 and sustainer of all things, 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:55.460 first in majesty and glory, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.940 worshipped by the angels, 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.279 infinite, eternal, 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:01.279 and unchangeable in his wisdom, 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.220 his being, his power, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.860 his holiness, his justice, 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.700 his goodness, his truth, 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:09.279 who at a single word 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.100 could dissolve this world, 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:13.740 which has sinned against him. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.340 Descended to the depths 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.159 of this world 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.600 to assume our flesh, 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.960 to become our Savior. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.820 Is that not overwhelming? 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.460 You see, the Gospel's 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:29.320 never done overwhelming us. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.159 And that's why we need to hear it 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.879 again and again. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.980 That's why it always needs 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.980 to be put in our ear, 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:36.220 because it's always new. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:38.080 It's always startling. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:41.720 It's always bringing forth in us 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.920 wave upon wave of adoration. 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.940 That God the Son 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:47.580 should come. 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:50.800 But not only that, loved ones, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.899 that God the Son 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.440 should come for me. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.860 For me. 00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:58.340 It's very particular. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:02.080 We see then that God 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:05.259 comes for us in Jesus Christ. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.939 Jesus Christ is fully God, 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.919 but also, secondly, 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.039 he is fully man. 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.360 He is fully divine, 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.419 but also fully human. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.439 You know, that is just 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:17.620 as important for us. 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.000 And sometimes we focus 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.139 so much of our energy 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.580 on defending the deity 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.179 of Christ 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.299 that we don't pay enough 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:26.200 attention, in fact, 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.740 to the humanity of Jesus. 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:29.899 Or as again, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.939 Warfield concluded, 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:31.360 he said, 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.659 if there are no two natures, 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.939 divine and human, 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:35.400 in one person, 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:37.720 there's no incarnation. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.660 And if there's no incarnation, 00:14:40.880 --> 00:14:41.900 there's no Christianity 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:44.920 at all. 00:14:45.880 --> 00:14:47.260 There are plenty of people 00:14:47.260 --> 00:14:48.120 who make the mistake 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.120 of thinking that 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.940 the humanity 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:52.640 of Jesus 00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:54.500 is transfused 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.280 with deity 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:57.720 so that actually 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.760 the life and experience 00:14:58.760 --> 00:14:59.280 of Jesus 00:14:59.280 --> 00:15:00.320 is somehow radically 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.420 different from us. 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:03.159 But that's not true. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.000 Of course, 00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:06.120 he has the full measure 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.779 of the Spirit. 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.019 But what the Scriptures 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.159 tell us from beginning 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.799 to end, 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:11.279 what is the great emphasis 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.479 over and over 00:15:12.479 --> 00:15:13.500 and over again, 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.719 is that if he's not 00:15:15.719 --> 00:15:16.279 really, 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:16.839 truly, 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.360 fully man, 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.919 sharing our world, 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.379 sharing our frailty, 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:26.059 knowing each of our weaknesses, 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:28.480 getting thirsty, 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:30.840 getting hungry, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:34.080 not a child prodigy, 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:35.320 but growing in knowledge 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.180 and understanding, 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.340 going to a funeral 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.379 and shedding tears 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.000 of sorrow 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.860 at the death 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.539 of his friend, 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.420 becoming exhausted 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.180 in his body, 00:15:48.180 --> 00:15:49.639 without these things 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.460 he would not at all 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.820 be fit to be our Savior. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.360 And that brings us, 00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:54.519 then, 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.700 to these opening chapters 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.379 of Genesis. 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.320 And we only read 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.240 from Genesis 3, 00:15:58.420 --> 00:15:58.920 but I'm sure 00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.940 we're familiar 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.320 with Genesis 1 and 2 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:01.920 as well. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.200 I thought, 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.200 there's a limit 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:04.840 to how much 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.520 I can read 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:07.480 this evening. 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.440 But when God created Adam, 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.120 we know, 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:11.740 he gave him 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.640 the great privilege 00:16:12.640 --> 00:16:13.700 of sharing communion 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.980 and fellowship with him. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.980 And Eden was there 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.560 created as a sanctuary. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:20.379 It was a garden temple. 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:21.879 And God, 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.820 the great king, 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.580 set Adam there 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:26.580 to be a gardener, 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:29.139 to be a priest king 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.779 under him, 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.399 to rule in his name. 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.100 And the world 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.220 was created good, 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.039 but it was not 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.200 in its final condition. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.439 And Adam was then 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.240 given a task. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.059 He had the task 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.960 to subdue it, 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.939 to guard it, 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.759 to tend it, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.919 to extend 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.240 that glorious reign. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.840 And he was provided 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.639 by God 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.860 with everything necessary 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.060 for that task. 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.600 And he was called 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.720 to follow the pattern 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.879 of his creator 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.940 because he was made 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:58.480 an analogy of God 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:00.159 in the very image 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.440 and likeness of God. 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.940 And God himself 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.839 there in creation 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.880 led this wonderful 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.900 procession 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.860 of six days 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:09.440 of labor, 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.220 transforming 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.700 the tohu abohu, 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.319 the darkness 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:13.920 and void, 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:16.400 into creation. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.000 No longer lifeless 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.000 and void 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.579 and this confused mass, 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.339 but God molded it 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.339 and shaped it 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.420 and ordered it. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.160 And he separated 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.119 the waters 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.759 in the night 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.579 from the day 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.599 and through all 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.299 of his ordering 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.140 and separating 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.859 and naming, 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.579 he called Adam 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:37.799 to follow him, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:40.139 to lead all of creation 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:42.919 in another procession, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.599 a parade, 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.299 as it were, 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.379 behind the Lord himself 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.779 in royal procession 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.879 from his holy hill 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.399 in Eden, 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.000 doing what God 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.199 commanded him to do 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:52.859 to the very ends 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.460 of the earth. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.419 There's one writer here 00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:57.599 who has marvelously put it 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.419 summing this up. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.740 Whether plant, 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.279 tree, 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:00.919 sun, 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.319 moon, 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.879 star, 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.399 bird, 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.040 or fish, 00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:04.780 everything performs 00:18:04.780 --> 00:18:06.460 its duly ordained office 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.860 in the first two chapters 00:18:07.860 --> 00:18:08.500 of Genesis, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.540 just like the priests 00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:11.080 and Levites 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.820 of the sanctuary 00:18:11.820 --> 00:18:13.220 in their appointed work. 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.680 And finally, 00:18:14.800 --> 00:18:16.220 Adam as the archpriest 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.840 and crown 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:18.180 of the whole created order, 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:20.180 God's very vice-regent 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.180 along with Eve, 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:23.320 exercising dominion 00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:23.880 under God 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:24.800 in this vast 00:18:24.800 --> 00:18:26.519 cosmic empire 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.460 in which everything 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.180 that happens 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.420 is meant to redound 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.340 to the glory 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:31.080 of God. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.660 Now, 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.460 that was the commission. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.880 That was the task. 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.720 Adam was created 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.720 there in covenant, 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.779 in a covenant of works. 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.960 He had a job to do. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.259 He was on probation. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.560 There was a trial. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.960 Would he do that job? 00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:50.000 Would he follow 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.720 his creator? 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.259 And of course, 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.240 we know what happened. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.680 Adam forfeited 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.300 his role. 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:59.419 He listened 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.379 to the false witness, 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.240 the blasphemy 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.099 of the serpent, 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.539 that agent of Satan. 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.279 The very one 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.039 who he is supposed 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.000 to drive out 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.519 of the garden. 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.200 That's the one 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.059 from whom 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.339 he takes counsel. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.099 Not only takes counsel, 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.119 but takes counsel 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.619 against the Lord, 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.460 his creator. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.779 As though Adam 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.539 might instead be God. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.099 As we read 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.619 from Genesis 3, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.439 verse 8, 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:29.939 they heard, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.000 that is Adam and Eve, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.959 the sound of the Lord 00:19:31.959 --> 00:19:33.240 God walking in the garden 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.439 in the cool of the day. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.459 The cool of the day. 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:37.459 The scene there 00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.159 could not be 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.919 any more different 00:19:38.919 --> 00:19:39.959 from that old hymn. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.459 Perhaps 00:19:40.459 --> 00:19:42.500 you have the unfortunate 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.639 privilege, 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.279 like I do, 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:45.959 of not being able 00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:46.779 to excise it 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.039 from your mind. 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:48.299 You know, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.059 I come to the garden alone. 00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:53.279 The dew is still 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.879 on the roses, 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.240 and the joy we share 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.460 while we tarry there. 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.460 None other has ever known. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.960 But that is not it at all. 00:20:00.260 --> 00:20:01.160 That is not at all 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.660 the picture. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.300 This is the arrival 00:20:04.300 --> 00:20:05.420 of God as judge. 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.200 God is on a mission 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.620 of judgment here. 00:20:09.260 --> 00:20:10.160 The cool of the day 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.680 is in fact 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.720 the spirit of the day. 00:20:11.820 --> 00:20:12.600 This is the day 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.240 of the Lord. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.140 The one who's come 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.880 to execute judgment 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.260 upon Adam 00:20:18.260 --> 00:20:19.060 in his sin. 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:22.740 His image bearer 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:24.960 who becomes 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.240 the covenant breaker. 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.460 And when that call 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.460 comes to Adam 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.779 from his covenant Lord, 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:33.039 Adam, where are you? 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.159 It's not that God 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:35.700 doesn't know 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.639 where Adam is. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.720 You think of that 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.440 question that perhaps 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:42.599 maybe a wife 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.480 can ask a husband. 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.440 Where are you 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.379 in this relationship? 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.940 There's something 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.200 in between here. 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.059 Where are you right now? 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.819 You're not here. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.119 The true servant 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.779 of the Lord 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.460 that Adam was meant to be 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.639 should have called back, 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.759 Here I am. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.240 Let it be done to me 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.279 according to your word. 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.220 But he disobeyed 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.299 the voice of his father. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.159 And in his transgression 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.940 he plunged 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.019 all in his stead, 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.039 all of humanity 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.960 into sin 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.879 and death 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.919 and alienation 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.579 from God. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.279 But you know 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.339 there's another promise 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.019 as we read. 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:23.000 This is why we read 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.779 Genesis 3. 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.980 Genesis 3.15 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.159 that first announcement 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:26.919 of the gospel. 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:28.399 There will be another son 00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:29.379 born of the woman 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.919 who will undo 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:32.220 all that Adam did. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.259 Who will do 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.839 all that Adam 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.679 failed to do. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.559 Who will provide 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.639 not only a sacrifice 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.579 of atonement 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:40.259 but also an obedient life. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.299 Because ultimately 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.339 it's not sacrifice 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.440 but it's obedience 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.839 that God delights in. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.819 And that's the task 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.379 given to 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:50.579 and taken up gladly 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.179 by our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:54.879 The eternal son of God 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.179 who becomes incarnate 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.419 to give his life 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:58.859 for his people. 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:02.259 And this is particularly 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.019 the focus 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.419 of that promise to Mary 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.099 that we read 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.779 in Luke 1. 00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:09.699 Adam became a living being 00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:10.279 by the breath 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.980 of the spirit. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.599 Genesis 2.7. 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.139 Here in Luke 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.899 the Holy Spirit 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:16.639 coming upon Mary 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:19.619 to overshadow her 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.319 as the power 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.179 of the Most High 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:21.839 so that she'll 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.639 become pregnant. 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:24.079 This is part 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.419 of the basic vocabulary 00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:27.000 of the spirit's work 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.819 throughout the Bible. 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.059 We think of 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.299 Genesis 1.2. 00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:33.079 The spirit there 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.579 hovering over the waters 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.419 of creation. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.939 It's the exact same 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:39.119 language we find 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:41.419 from Moses 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.120 singing to the assembly 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.900 of the Lord. 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.300 Israel there 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:48.019 in Deuteronomy 32. 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.279 He compares the Lord 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.140 in verse 11 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.600 to an eagle 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:54.620 that stirs up its nest, 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.880 flutters over its young, 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.880 that spreads out its wings. 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:02.140 And by the way, 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.640 you notice 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.779 that the same spirit 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.660 who's at work 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.940 in the womb of Mary 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:07.340 has already been at work 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.019 in her heart. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:10.440 That is why 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.619 she answers 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.079 amen 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.440 to that promise. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.920 That's why 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.779 all generations 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.940 shall call her blessed. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.779 So the spirit 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.099 prepares a body 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.900 for the son. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.240 The son 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.720 who is the exact image 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.480 and imprint 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.819 of God. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.559 It's not at all 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.940 actually 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.920 the virgin birth. 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.180 You try to 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.139 change the language 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.220 but you can only 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.460 get so far. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.740 It's the virgin conception. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.600 Because the conception 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.720 of Jesus Christ 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.220 is 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.460 ex nihilo creation 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.420 out of nothing. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.600 The exact parallel 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:49.100 to the very beginning 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.299 let there be light 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.700 divine fiat 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.180 and there was light. 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:56.140 So that his humanity 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.200 would be untainted 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.960 by sin. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.240 And like Adam 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.000 before the fall 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.039 not yet confirmed 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.779 in righteousness 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.700 and glory. 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.279 But his gestation 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.519 his 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.779 delivery 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.539 are all 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:11.160 all too normal. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.839 100% normal. 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.799 Still dependent 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.359 on the word 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:15.839 and spirit 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.500 but following 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.440 that other kind 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.940 of creation 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.079 you find in Genesis. 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.859 Let the earth 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.680 bring forth 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:23.539 and the earth 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.279 brought forth. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.639 And there was pain. 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.559 Mary was in labor 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.859 giving birth 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.579 to a child. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.259 No obstetrics care. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.639 There was a placenta. 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.460 It was bloody. 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.879 A real human 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.019 with a real soul 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.899 was born to her. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.839 A particular Jewish male 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.919 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:48.740 You see 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.659 the word 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.779 became flesh. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.639 Yes 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.159 but the word 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.240 became flesh. 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.379 Only God 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.019 can save. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.759 Only God 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.339 incarnate 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.259 in our humanity 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.319 can save fully. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.920 Because the great 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.200 gift of Jesus Christ 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.940 is that he is 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.779 second man. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.500 Second Adam. 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.640 The last Adam. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.720 Paul belabors 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.279 that point 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.859 for us 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.220 in Romans 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.079 chapter 5 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.019 and 1 Corinthians 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.400 chapter 15. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.519 That he is the one 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.460 who's come in our flesh 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.059 to undergo 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.940 the curse 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.879 of the first man 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.980 that first Adam 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:25.259 and to fulfill 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.759 the covenant 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.319 of works 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.259 for our sake. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.779 winning the right 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.599 to unlock 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.700 that gate of heaven 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.220 and lead his people 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.140 in procession 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.900 into glory. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.799 So he is the God man. 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.940 He's the mediator 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.539 of the covenant 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.160 of grace 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:41.559 for our sake. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.039 That's the promise 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.599 to Mary. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.579 That the Lord 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.200 shall become 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.819 the servant. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.819 The servant 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.819 who is the Lord. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.440 And every moment 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:54.920 of the life 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.759 of Jesus Christ 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.079 then we see him 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.879 on trial, 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.079 on probation, 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.660 recapitulating, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.279 restoring all 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.980 that was lost 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.480 in Adam, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.839 fulfilling all 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.619 that was promised 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.680 throughout every stage 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.720 of redemptive history. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.839 And all of God's 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.700 covenant promises 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.720 converge in him. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.940 He is the true Israel. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:17.379 He is the messianic 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.819 savior, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.119 the son of David, 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.180 the one whose kingdom 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.299 shall have no end. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:23.579 So that finally 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.579 you see a proper 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.259 relationship 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.559 has come into view. 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.019 There's actually 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.700 now a proper 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.519 conversation 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.440 between covenant 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.519 Lord and covenant 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:31.980 servant. 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:35.000 The Lord speaks, 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:36.619 Adam, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.339 where are you? 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.720 The true servant 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.200 of the Lord, 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.039 Jesus Christ, 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.879 answers back, 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.000 here I am 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.779 in obedience 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.759 to God's glory. 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.359 And for the first time 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.740 the world 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.399 has an Adam, 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.620 Israel has a king 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.860 who only does 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.759 all that the Father 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.580 commands him. 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.580 That's what we read 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:56.360 in John 8. 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.640 I always do, 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.480 Jesus says, 00:26:58.540 --> 00:26:59.240 what is pleasing 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.060 to my Father. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.600 Because he is 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.340 our answer. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.840 He is our proper 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:06.060 response to God 00:27:06.060 --> 00:27:07.300 in his perfect 00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:08.220 life and obedience. 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.840 But you see, 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.420 he's also God's answer 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:12.160 in flesh and blood 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.640 to sinners, 00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:14.800 to me, 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.360 to you. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.240 And when he died 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.420 to bear God's judgment 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.240 for our sake, 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.280 he was then also 00:27:22.280 --> 00:27:23.800 raised as the first fruits 00:27:23.800 --> 00:27:25.640 of a new world 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.280 altogether. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.360 So the day shall come, 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.180 it's guaranteed 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.480 for us 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:34.080 that out of the graves 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:34.420 even, 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.120 God's people 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.000 will be resurrected. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.620 And in Christ, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.759 even the last enemy 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.720 will be subdued 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.600 and all things 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.280 will be made 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:44.820 subject to him. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:47.119 because of his 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.379 true humanity, 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.039 you see, 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.819 we can even be sure 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.980 of those last lines 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.759 of the creed, 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.519 the resurrection 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.339 of the dead 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.439 and the life everlasting. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:59.079 And his last act 00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.799 of salvation 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.139 is then to lead 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.139 that procession, 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.000 that parade 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.799 that Adam was 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.939 supposed to have done. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.339 At last, 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.299 the faithful son, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:07.639 you see, 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.519 the son of God 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.679 who's become a son 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:12.320 and who broke 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:12.700 the neck 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.400 of the tempter, 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.900 that false witness, 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.060 and who leads 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:18.039 all of creation 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.940 back to God, 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.620 the head 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.560 of a new people, 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.000 bringing them 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.460 with him 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.340 in his train. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.700 This is why 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.400 Jesus says 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.759 in Hebrews chapter 2, 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.180 presenting himself 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.460 to the Father, 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.019 he says, 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.060 here I am. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.039 And you see 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.640 who I've brought 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.140 with me? 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.660 Brothers and sisters, 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:42.039 now made children 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.560 of God, 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.480 the very ones 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.820 that you have 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.500 given to me. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.440 That's why we need 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.400 Jesus to be fully 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.160 man as well. 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.080 Finally, 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.580 briefly, 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.420 Jesus did not 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.279 take our humanity 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.440 only for a season. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.519 There wasn't 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.120 a clock 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:03.160 that was running 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.380 out here. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.799 He didn't ascend 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.160 to heaven 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.600 like a SpaceX 00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:08.160 rocket 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:09.500 from Elosk Musk, 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.119 flying, 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:12.579 flying to the moon, 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:16.440 leaving the scaffolding, 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.259 all of the 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.180 things necessary 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.920 to get him there. 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.779 Christ, 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.359 who stands 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.980 victorious 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.839 at the right hand 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.599 of God the Father, 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.960 is still the God-man, 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.980 and he'll be so forever. 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.259 He descended 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.839 from heaven. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.680 This is the wonder 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.599 in such a way 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.599 that without 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.940 even leaving heaven 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:39.140 from his divinity, 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.900 he willed 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.460 to be born 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.600 in the virgin's womb, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.519 to be found 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.539 in that cradle, 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.799 to do the work 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.559 of his Father 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.299 on earth, 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.380 to be upheld 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.180 by the Spirit, 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.559 to hang on the cross, 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.380 and yet 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:53.420 he continuously 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.360 filled the world, 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.259 even as he had done 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.940 from the beginning. 00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.680 The mystery 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.400 of the incarnation 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.820 is one person 00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:02.980 and two natures, 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:04.019 divine and human, 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.200 but the divine 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.119 does not absorb 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.639 the human, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.559 does not mix 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:08.940 with it, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.960 nor is it separated 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.639 from it, 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.920 but from eternity 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.960 he has pledged 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.720 himself that 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.779 for eternity 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.139 he will be 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:18.339 enfleshed, 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.920 the God-man, 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.940 that he might 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.139 in his earthly life 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.579 and throughout 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:25.059 all of his royal session 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:27.019 be perfectly fitted 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.940 to us, 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.559 men and women, 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.420 for our salvation. 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:33.840 He continues 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.600 to have a body, 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.259 he will always 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.200 be circumscribed 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.400 by time and space. 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.900 And reflecting 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.680 on this again, 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.060 the writer 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.860 to the Hebrews 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:44.900 writes in chapter 2 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:46.440 verses 17 and 18, 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.920 he, Jesus, 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.039 was made like 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.580 his brothers 00:30:49.580 --> 00:30:50.660 in every respect 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:52.279 so that he might 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.000 be a merciful 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.740 and faithful 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.400 high priest 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.360 in God's service 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:57.360 to make propitiation 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.060 for the sins 00:30:58.060 --> 00:30:58.700 of the people 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:00.259 and because he himself 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.400 suffered when tempted, 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:03.040 he is, 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.300 not he was, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.120 he is, 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.980 even now, 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.120 he is able 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.120 to help all those 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.980 who are being tempted. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.580 Time permits us 00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:15.700 to say only one thing 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:17.000 briefly about temptation. 00:31:18.300 --> 00:31:19.700 Jesus faced temptation 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.420 in the wilderness. 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.120 He faced temptation 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.880 in the Garden 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:24.860 of Gethsemane 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:27.620 where he agonized 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.720 over the most bitter 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.400 temptation. 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.540 temptation. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.980 What is his prayer 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.300 there? 00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:35.960 My Father, 00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:36.940 he says, 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.480 let this cup 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.620 pass from me. 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.900 That is what I desire. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:45.080 Let this cup 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:45.860 pass from me. 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.060 That is what I desire. 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.640 We ought not to move 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.220 so quickly 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.259 past those words. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.220 You know, 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.100 this was a perfectly 00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:56.080 holy desire 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:58.439 because any other 00:31:58.439 --> 00:31:59.240 desire would have 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.939 been unholy. 00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:03.199 The fully human 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:03.659 Son, 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.439 Jesus Christ, 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.099 could never 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:07.079 desire to cry out 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.740 that cry of 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.319 dereliction. 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:09.699 My God, 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.119 my God, 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:10.619 why have you 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.379 forsaken me? 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:14.900 what he desired 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.700 was not that tree. 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.840 Not the cross. 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:22.740 Is there no other way? 00:32:25.280 --> 00:32:26.700 And when Adam and Eve 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.240 ate from that tree 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.780 in the midst 00:32:28.780 --> 00:32:29.400 of the garden 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.700 and they saw, 00:32:30.800 --> 00:32:30.960 you know, 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.220 it delights the eyes, 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.100 they doubted the words 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.880 of their Father. 00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.880 But Jesus Christ 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.400 was faced 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.300 with another tree. 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:40.740 And he pled 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.399 with his Father, 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.500 not that tree. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.899 Is there no other way? 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.180 And then he said, 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.480 nevertheless, 00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:51.159 your will be done. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.500 Because you see, 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:54.299 Father, 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.220 Son, 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.419 and Spirit 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:57.919 had from all eternity 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:59.740 determined 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.700 to create, 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.599 to redeem, 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.740 to gather a church 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:05.079 for everlasting 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:05.720 fellowship. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:07.880 born out of 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.880 the love of God. 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:11.160 The love of God. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.920 And so the incarnate 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.620 Son becomes 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.680 obedient to death, 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.860 even death 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.720 on the cross. 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.940 And have you ever 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.720 wondered why 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.920 there in Luke 22? 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.860 We're told an angel 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.759 is sent to him 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:28.079 from heaven 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.920 to strengthen him. 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.259 Just imagine that. 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.740 Let all my angels 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.660 worship him. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.360 at his birth. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.720 Let one of you 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.880 now go minister 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.440 to him 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.240 in his need. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.200 Go strengthen him 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.140 in his hour 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:45.900 of temptation 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:48.319 to take the cup, 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:50.019 to drink it 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.460 to its bitter dregs 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:54.019 so that we might enjoy 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.019 the cup of blessing, 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.400 the cup of glory, 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.500 the cup of salvation. 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.480 Knowing all this, 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:00.839 you see, 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.279 how can we not know 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:04.100 that Jesus Christ, 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.660 loved ones, 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.600 will care for you? 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:08.320 That he will strengthen 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.539 you in your temptation 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.139 when you call on him. 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.679 Because he is the one 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.820 who's earned our trust. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.059 Do you ever think about that? 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:17.119 That he has actually 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:18.260 earned your trust. 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.780 It's not, 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.179 as we heard this morning, 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.780 there's an object of faith. 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.500 It's not faith 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.360 in wood fairies. 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.840 He's earned our faith. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.199 He's earned our trust. 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.319 He's earned our trust. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.239 And so, 00:34:29.399 --> 00:34:30.719 what can we do then 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:32.539 but put our trust in him? 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:35.539 Whether for the first time 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:37.359 or for the thousandth time. 00:34:38.399 --> 00:34:40.259 Because there is no other mediator 00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:42.460 between man and God. 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:44.099 There is no other faithful son. 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.599 There is no other champion 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:48.059 of his brothers and sisters 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:50.799 than our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.579 conceived by the Holy Spirit 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:54.559 and born of the Virgin Mary. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:54.699 Amen.