April 2009 - Vol. 29

The Representative of the Race
Christ’s position as the new head of the human race provides an important perspective in understanding why his death could count for us. He acted on our behalf in his death, as well as in his resurrection and ascension. He was representing the human race which would come into existence as a result of what he was doing, the race which would be his body, and which was already being drawn together through the calling and formation of his disciples. In considering his death and resurrection, we sometimes miss the fact that Christ acted as a corporate representative and not just as a righteous or godly individual.

Christ can represent the human race because of who he is. As the new Adam, he is the head of the human race. He is the one whom God appointed to be the ruler of the human race, and even now he functions as the King or Lord of those who accept him for who he is. Consequently, Christ has the authority to relate to God the Father on behalf of the human race. In turn, he also represents God to the human race insofar as God relates to the human race through the head of that race. Finally, he leads the corporate response to God of those who accept him.

 Christ died “for us,” therefore, not only in the sense that his death was for our benefit, but also in the sense that he died “on our behalf” as our representative. As Paul put it, “One has died for all, therefore all have died,” (2 Corinthians 5:14) because that one could act on behalf of all as the head of those who were united to him. The effects of his death can therefore become our own once we become members of his body and “live for him” (2 Corinthians 5:15). 

[This article is excerpted from the book Redeemer: Understanding the Meaning of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, copyright © 1992 by Stephen B. Clark, published by Servant Books.]