WAS JESUS JUST LIKE US? 2.0

Let us wrap this issue once and for all

The great work of redemption could be carried out only by the Redeemer taking the place of fallen Adam. With the sins of the world laid upon him, he would go over the ground where Adam stumbled. He would bear the test which Adam failed to endure, and which would be almost infinitely more severe than that brought to bear upon Adam. He would overcome on man's account, and conquer the tempter, that through his obedience, his purity of character and steadfast integrity, his righteousness might be imputed to man, that through his name man might overcome the foe on his own account. - Ellen White, Review & Herald, Feb 24, 1874.

As a reminder, here are the points deduced from the above quotation:

1. Taking the place of fallen man

2. Sins of the world laid on Him

3. Go over the ground where Adam stumbled

4. Would bear the test which Adam failed to endure

5. The test would be infinitely more severe than Adam's

Point 3

This was accomplished throughout the first thirty years of His life culminating with His baptism.

Point 4 & 5

In order for Jesus to bear the test which Adam failed to endure, it goes without saying that the test must have been of the same nature for Him as it was for Adam. This test was however more severe than that of Adam since Adam was tempted in a garden of perfect beauty with lots of other fruits besides those of the forbidden tree and was in no way desperate for food (for also his body was perfect and strong). Meanwhile, Jesus was tempted in a wilderness after forty days of fasting and with a body weakened from 4000 years of sinful degradation. But do not take my word for it, here is sister White in detail:

With Christ, as with the holy pair in Eden, appetite was the ground of the first great temptation. Just where the ruin began, the work of our redemption must begin. As by the indulgence of appetite Adam fell, so by the denial of appetite Christ must overcome. - Ellen White, Desire of Ages pg 117.3

Satan had pointed to Adam's sin as proof that God's law was unjust, and could not be obeyed. In our humanity, Christ was to redeem Adam's failure. But when Adam was assailed by the tempter, none of the effects of sin were upon him. He stood in the strength of perfect manhood, possessing the full vigor of mind and body. He was surrounded with the glories of Eden, and was in daily communion with heavenly beings. It was not thus with Jesus when He entered the wilderness to cope with Satan. For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth; and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of his degradation. - ibid, pg 117.1

What are these 'infirmities of degenerate humanity'? Are they the sinful tendencies in our hearts? No! Consider even the contrast between Adam and Jesus the second Adam as described. Unlike Adam, Jesus was hungry. He had every reason to sin when the tempter came to him and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread"(Matthew 4:3) and yet He didn't, thus redeeming Adam's fall at every step of the temptation. With Satan vanquished at the wilderness, Adam's sin with its guilt and condemnation we inherit in the form of our spiritually corrupted nature was marked for disannulment at the cross. It was now official that man may be justified by faith, and all those who were so justified in the old testament would have their justification ratified when the lamb of God would shed his blood. The way to the cross was open.

Our Lord could now concentrate on building a character pattern for our sanctification. A life of victorious living. As it is written...

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. - Romans 5:19

and

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life - Romans 5:10

Conclusion

So, was Jesus just like us? Yes. If the us is redeemed humans, children of the second Adam. He experienced a contradiction of natures as we, sinners redeemed to partake in divinity do, only that His approach was from heaven. "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven"(1 Corinthians 15:47) Jesus partook of humanity, so that we, justified sinners, can partake of divinity. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11).

Below is a link to part 1:

https://biblicalresearchtr.wixsite.com/book/single-post/was-jesus-just-like-us