Christ - Made in all Things Like We Are
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3.
There is a common idea that this means that Christ
merely simulated sinful flesh; that he did not take upon himself actual
sinful flesh, but only what appeared to be such. But the Scriptures do not
teach such a thing. "In all things it behooved him to be made like
unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people." Hebrews 2:17. He was "born of a woman, born under the
law," that he might redeem them that were under the law. Galatians
4:4, 5.
He took the same flesh that all have. A parallel text
to Romans 8:3, 4 is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21. The former says that
Christ was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, "that the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us." The latter says
that God "made him to be sin for us," although he knew no sin,
"that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
All the comfort that we can get from Christ lies in the
knowledge that he was made in all things as we are. Otherwise we should
hesitate to tell him of our weaknesses and failures. The priest who makes
sacrifices for sins must be one "who can have compassion on the
ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is
compassed with infirmity." Hebrews 5:2.
This applies perfectly to Christ; "for we have not
an High Priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin." Hebrews 4:15. This is why we may come boldly to the throne of
grace for mercy. So perfectly has Christ identified himself with us, that
he even now feels our sufferings.
Waggoner on Romans, p. 128 |
