Surprise (Daniel Kirk on Jesus and Adam)

Storied Theology: Surprise   Daniel Kirk

Jesus was an unlikely Messiah. ...

... But it’s not just that Jesus was crucified. Surprising as that was, the more incomprehensible idea was that this crucifixion would somehow be, not the denial of his messiahship, but the quintessential embodiment of it. What it means to be Messiah is, somehow, inseparably tied to the cross. When the sign above his head reads, “The King of the Jews,” we know that the words are true though to Rome the cross was the way of showing that this pretender would have no rule.

If cruciform coronation was a surprise, it was topped only by Jesus’ resurrection-enthronement. Yes, the kings of old had been “enthroned at God’s right hand,” but what was figuratively true of them is now literally true of Jesus.

As in Jesus’ earthly ministry, so too with the resurrection, the categories of Adamic and Davidic kingship are affirmed–and at the same time exploded. Jesus is more. Jesus does more. What they idealized, Jesus realized. Full defeat of God’s enemies? Yes–but enemies more cosmic and powerful than any earthly king. Sin is undone. And death is defeated.

Humanity is ruling the world again. As it was in the beginning it is now once again. All the glory of Adam has been restored.

And then, the greatest surprise of all. As the story unfolds, it seems all along that the first is Adam. He is the model. He is the firstborn of all creation. He is the ruler of the earth. It is for his sake that all things are made. He rules all things for God. Here is the type to which all future kings must conform. Here is the glory to be restored by the Messiah.

So it seems.

But ...

Go to Kirk's post for the surprise ending.

 

 

Comments

[Dana Ames]

Very Orthodox :)

Dana