Did Christ take upon himself our fallen/sinful nature of the pre- fall nature of Adam?

This is a question sent in by Jay on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:

I just want to post this question that a person asked me in one of the sites I constantly visit, since I am not really sure about the answer: “Did Christ take upon himself our fallen/sinful nature of the pre- fall nature of Adam?” Thank you in advance.

My Answer:

“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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3, 4)        

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved 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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14-18)

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4, 5).

“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.” (Hebrews 4:15)

 ”For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The important thing is that we hold firm to the truth that Jesus was all God and all man.    If you look at Galatians 4:4-5 it says that He was made under the law to redeem them that where under it.  The law came after the fall of man to reveal to us sin.  Jesus came under the law that we might be redeemed and adopted.   

Adam before the fall had the perfect surroundings, did not suffer, and still sinned.  Jesus (the second adam) came not in a pre-fallen state, He came as a man and bore the full weight of being so under the law, but did not sin.  The thought among many reformers is “If Christ did not assume a fallen human nature, then our nature is not rescued.”  He had to take on our deprived fallen nature inorder to redeem it.  

Here are some great quotes pertaining to the subject:

Saint Athanasius of Alexandria “He became what we are that he might make us what he is.”

Puritan Philip Brooks “Jesus Christ, the condescension of divinity and the exaltation of humanity”

The very important thing in this arguement is to stay focused on what Jesus did and just be thankful for the fact that Jesus came fully man and fully God and lived as a man without sin to pay the price for sin.  Now because of Jesus we are under a new covenant and have mercy and grace.  So we should rejoice in what Jesus has done for us.  He bore the weight of our fallen nature and redeemed us.  We are new creations in Jesus!

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