December 11, 2024
Last week, I introduced the idea of double representation in the incarnation. Focusing on the divine nature of Jesus. What a wonderful revelation of our God and Creator is present in the life and ministry of Jesus. But what about Jesus's human nature? Certainly, God does not need human representation because he is confused about the state of humanity - Psalm 103:14 says, “God knows our frame and remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 139 tells us that God knows the utmost details of our daily activity, and his eye has been on us since we were infants in our mother's wombs. Jesus represents humanity to the Father as our intercessor, the one God sent to intervene on our behalf. How so? Well, first and foremost, in his sin-atoning death and life-giving resurrection: “God [the Father] made him who knew no sin [Jesus the Son] to become sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” God, in Christ, intervened on our behalf at the cross. Secondly, through his ongoing prayer on our behalf: Right now, as you read this, Jesus, in his glorified but scar-marked body, is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, interceding for his people (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
Not only does Jesus represent humanity to God as our intercessor, but he also represents sinless humanity to us and invites us to grace-empowered, faith-fueled imitation of Him. The word righteousness is loaded with all sorts of meanings and implications, but the biblical definition of righteousness is much simpler, it means “right-relationship.” In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus said the two greatest commandments: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and the second: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is righteousness, it sounds simple, but pursuing “right relationship” with God and neighbor is easier said than done. What do we see in Jesus that points to this? Look at the Gospels! Jesus, the Son, perfectly relates to the Father in the plan of redemption - and, in his life and ministry, loved all he encountered with perfect and Godly love.
Jesus represents humanity as our Intercessor and as the pattern for our Imitation - In Jesus, God has intervened on our behalf at the cross, shown us the path of life, and prays for us as we struggle in the way of righteousness. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
If you’d like to read more about the idea of imitation I recommend “Imitating the Incarnation” by BB Warfield
