The Man Christ JesusWho was Jesus, why did he come to earth to die for mankind, and how did his death pay for our sins? The Scriptures answer all of these questions. Jesus is the only begotten son of God. (John 3:18) His creation as a spirit being or angel was the first of God’s creative works. (Prov. 8:22) As this spirit being, he is described as Michael and the Logos or word of God. (Jude 1:9; John 1:1-4, 10-12,14) In Proverbs 8:22-31, Jesus describes his creation (vs.22-23) and then his work with God in creating the universe, the earth and man. (vs. 24-31) Genesis 1:26 states "Let us make man in our image …" describing how God and the Logos worked together on man’s creation. The Apostle Paul confirms this: "There is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, ... and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things." (1 Cor. 8:6) God’s justice demanded an equivalent for Father Adam, to release Adam from the penalty of death he incurred by eating the forbidden fruit. (Job. 33:24) This equivalent is described in Scripture as a "ransom." (Psa. 49:7; Hos. 13:14) To release Adam and the human race from death, another perfect man would have to take Adam’s place and serve the penalty. (Matt. 20:28) Jesus as a spirit being in his pre-human existence was not a ransom. To become a ransom, he would have to become flesh or human. (John 1:14; Phil. 2:7-8) This took place when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The man Jesus was not an angel materializing as a human being. (Heb. 2:9; 1 John 4:2-3) He was truly a mortal, human being – one who would die to be a ransom for Adam. (John 18:32; Heb. 5:7) During his ministry, Jesus proved his perfection as a man by humbly obeying God’s will to the smallest detail. (Heb. 7:26) Being born as a Jew, he kept the Jewish law demonstrating that perfection. (Gal. 4:4-5) When Jesus died at Calvary, he did so voluntarily as a ransom for Adam. (John 10:15-18; 1 Tim. 2:5-6) When Jesus died, he laid down his earthly life forever – to take Adam’s place in prison house of death. His successful sacrifice meant that God could bring Adam back to life without violating his rules of justice. (Rom. 3:23-26) During his ministry, Jesus was also being developed as a merciful, spiritual high priest to teach man righteousness in his future kingdom. (Heb. 5:8-10) Our Lord’s faithfulness in sacrificing his earthly life earned him the right to be resurrected by God as a spirit being with immortality, highly exalted and given a name above all others. (Phil 2:9-11; Rev. 3:21) God raised him to be both a king and a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb. 5:10) With his exalted role and power, Jesus will be able to raise the human family from the dead, teach them righteousness and lead man to everlasting, perfect, human life – if they are obedient to the laws of his kingdom. (John 5:28-29; Is. 42:5-7; Rev. 21:1-5) For more information, please view Jesus, the World's Savior in the booklets section of our web site.
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