Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5-7).

 

Even though Jesus was the Son of God, He didn’t live on earth in His heavenly glory. He lived as a man. It’s the reason He could be our substitute and also our example. The Bible calls Him "the man, Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5); He was made in the likeness of men; that’s part of what we read in our opening verse.

 

It’s the reason He could be tempted (read Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). Being a man, it was possible for Him to yield to temptation; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been a bona fide temptation. Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." 

 

Remember, when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said, "…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39). So, He felt pain. He was hungry like the rest of us (Matthew 4:2), and He ate food like any man would (Luke 24:42-43). He slept when He felt tired (Mark 4:38). He fasted (Matthew 4:2); He kept the flesh under subjection because He wanted to obey God.

 

The first Adam fell because he disobeyed God. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, made up His mind to obey God. The Bible says in Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” He wanted us to know how to live and please God. He was our example; He rehearsed the God-life to us. Now we can live as He did—in righteousness, dominion over circumstances and absolute submission to the will of the Father. Glory to God!