Connections

One of the most basic human needs is to connect with others. Finding things that we have in common with others is one way that connections are made.

In gatherings, conversations develop where one might hear, "Yeah, that happened to me, too!" or "You're from New York? I'm from New York, too! What city?"

We choose friends who share common interests and activities. In most instances, a common interest is the beginning of a relationship. I have formed friendships at church among my fellow workers, at my son's numerous soccer practices and at school where I progressed through the masters program for counseling with the same group of students.

As we seek a connection with God, the same principles apply. Jesus was God in human form, come to redeem all of mankind. If we are to find anything in common with a holy God, we must find it in Jesus as he is the only physical presence of God ever presented to humanity.

I remember ten years ago when I read in the New Testament that Jesus is considered to be the second Adam. This one verse changed my whole concept of who Jesus is, for the thought entered my mind, was this the Adam before or after Eve was created from him?

God created Adam from the dust of the earth. The word Adam in the Hebrew denotes both male and female. Male and female created he them, so the scripture says.

The power of God also created the second Adam in that Jesus had no earthly father and was conceived within the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit. In both cases, there were no marriages needed in the creation of Adams. It is not difficult to conclude that Jesus was as the first Adam, encompassing both male AND female.

It is commonly thought that Eve was created from a rib of Adam, however the original Hebrew word actually means "side". Eve was created from a side of Adam. When a couple marries, two become one. We find that in many cases what is a weakness in a man might be a strength in the woman and vice versa. We jokingly refer to "our better half". Unlike the first Adam whose side was removed in the creation of Eve, Jesus did not undergo such an operation at the hands of God.

It is wondrous that Jesus was everything to everyone in his wholeness and as the perfectly created second Adam. A perfect and whole representative for all of humanity.

It is from here that men and women can truly begin to connect and find everything they need to find in Jesus.