The concept of the "Prepared Body of Christ" is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of the incarnation and the sacrificial role of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This theme is primarily drawn from the New Testament, where the physical body of Jesus is seen as divinely prepared for the purpose of redemption and atonement for humanity's sins.

Biblical Foundation

The idea of a prepared body is explicitly mentioned in the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:5-7 states, "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’" This passage highlights the divine preparation and purpose of Christ's incarnation, emphasizing that His physical body was specifically prepared to fulfill God's redemptive plan.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The concept of a prepared body is foreshadowed in the Old Testament through various types and prophecies. Psalm 40:6-8, which is quoted in Hebrews 10, speaks of God's desire for obedience over sacrifice, pointing to the ultimate obedience of Christ. Additionally, the sacrificial system itself, with its emphasis on unblemished offerings, prefigures the perfect and sinless body of Christ, prepared for the ultimate sacrifice.

The Incarnation

The incarnation of Christ is central to understanding the prepared body. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." This verse underscores the reality that the eternal Word, the second person of the Trinity, took on human flesh. The incarnation was not a random or haphazard event but a meticulously planned act of God, wherein Jesus' body was prepared to be the vessel through which divine redemption would be accomplished.

The Sacrificial Role

The prepared body of Christ is intrinsically linked to His sacrificial role. In Philippians 2:7-8 , it is written, "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." The physical body of Jesus was essential for His role as the sacrificial Lamb, as it was through His bodily suffering and death that atonement was made.

Resurrection and Glorification

The prepared body of Christ also encompasses His resurrection and glorification. After His crucifixion, Jesus rose bodily from the dead, affirming the significance of the physical body in God's redemptive plan. Luke 24:39 records Jesus saying, "Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." The resurrection body of Christ, though glorified, remains a testament to the prepared body that accomplished salvation.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the prepared body of Christ underscores the importance of the physical in God's plan of salvation. It affirms the goodness of creation and the human body, which God Himself took on in the person of Jesus. This doctrine also highlights the obedience and submission of Christ to the Father's will, serving as a model for believers. The prepared body of Christ is a profound mystery that reveals the depth of God's love and the lengths to which He would go to redeem His creation.