Two gardens
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. –1Corinthians 15:21-26 (NIV)
When you read the Scriptures as a single overarching narrative, you begin to see patterns. Odd details jump out that foreshadow something that will come later, and later things that sound familiar are often a call back to something that happened earlier. I was noticing some parallels this week between the fall of mankind in Adam and the redemption of mankind in Jesus.
Adam and Jesus both wrestled with the enemy in a garden. Adam did so alone; Jesus sought strength from His Father.
Adam and Jesus both faced a significant choice involving a tree. Adam flirted with the forbidden; Jesus embraced His mission.
Adam and Jesus both ate fruit that would bring first-hand knowledge of death. Adam introduced sin into the creation; Jesus took that sin upon Himself.
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. –1Corinthians 15:45-49 (NIV)
Perhaps I’m carrying the symbolism too far. But maybe not. To continue…
Adam and Jesus both left their gardens. Adam was driven out against his will; Jesus walked out in willing obedience to His Father.
Adam and Jesus both suffered thorns. Adam struggled to make a living; Jesus was given a crown that mocked His struggle.
Adam and Jesus both changed the trajectory of all humanity. Adam was a son of God who became the fallen start to mankind; Jesus was the Son of God Who became the completed and perfected Son of Man.
So many details involved in reversing the curse. Two gardens. Two stories that are really two chapters in the same story. What Adam gave away, Jesus redeemed. What Adam destroyed, Jesus restored. What Adam lost, Jesus rescued.
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. –1Corinthians 15:54-57 (NIV)