Gleanings for October 9

JESUS = the SECOND ADAM

John 12: 44 & 45 Amplified Bible: “But Jesus loudly declared,

“The one who believes in Me does not only believe in and trust in and rely on Me, but in believing in Me he believes in Him Who sent Me. And whoever SEES ME sees HIM WHO sent Me.”

An important truth for us to understand this: Jesus and our Heavenly Father are in total UNITY: they are ONE! (The scripture above states that plainly.)

Then, in John 5:30 NKJV Jesus goes even further in confirming that truth: “I can of Myself do nothing, as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father Who sent Me.”

Once again the Amplified Bible expands on the truth of that verse and I believe we get help in our understanding of it. It says the following:

“I am able to do nothing from Myself (independently, of My own accord—but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders). Even as I hear, I judge (I decide as I am bidden to decide.

“As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision), and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will (I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose) but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.”

Jesus was being totally submissive to His Father EVEN THOUGH we are assured in John 12: 44 & 45 that He and His Father are ONE. We will get even more “light” on that truth from the following verses:

Philippians 2 6 & 7: Amplified Bible: “Who (Jesus) although being essentially one with God and in the form of God (possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God), did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained;

“But stripped Himself (of all privileges and rightful dignity), so as to assume the guise of a servant, in that He became like men and was born a human being.”

Jesus came as the “Second Adam”:

First Corinthians 15: 45 & 47: “The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit (restoring the dead to life).

“The first man was from out of earth, made of dust (earthly minded); the second Man is the LORD from out of heaven.”

I’m in “AWE” as I think of the great plan of salvation! Study the scriptures in today’s devotion—thoughts will continue tomorrow. Until then, I trust you know:

The JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!