The dictionary definition of surrogate is substitute. This word has come into prominence in connection with surrogate parenthood. This involves the substitution of one of the partners in a sexual relationship to produce offspring. Surrogate parenthood is an answer to a problem when either the male or female is barren because of a medical or psychological problem. Up until recently there has been no solution to the problem short of actual sexual intercourse with a surrogate partner, but today there are a variety of procedures such as artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization, test tube embryos, and surrogate sperm or egg donors. The problem of barrenness is an ancient one, and has been judged a result of punishment by God.

There are examples in the Bible of God "closing the womb" or "opening the womb" by direct intervention as a result of prayer. There are also cases where God delayed a promise of a child in order to test the faith of the husband or wife. Abraham is perhaps the prime example of this delay as in the case of the birth of Isaac. In this case, Abraham failed the test and had a child, Ishmael, by Hagar, Sarah's handmaiden. This caused a lot of grief for Abraham which continues to this day in the conflict between the Jews and Arabs. It has been a common practice for royalty to resort to surrogate consorts, both male and female, in order to produce a suitable heir to the throne. In most of these situations the problem is considered to be that of the wife, but this is not always the case. It is entirely possible for a man to be sterile for a variety of physical and psychological defects. The use of surrogate methods to produce offspring is usually a last resort effort by a couple who desperately want a child.

The word "surrogate" does not occur in the Bible., but other words are used to express the same idea. When Adam and Eve sinned, God initiated a plan of salvation that involved a substitute to pay the price for man's transgression (Gen. 3:15). "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" ( I Cor. 15:22). Thus, God Himself became a surrogate sacrifice on man's behalf. But Christ was and is a surrogate in other ways. When He died, the veil that separated the Holy and Most Holy apartments of the temple was rent from top to bottom, thus ending the sanctuary service here on earth,.

This service was subsequently transferred to heaven where Christ became the surrogate high priest on our behalf. When Christ approached John the Baptist for baptism, John remonstrated that he was unworthy, but Jesus said it must be done to fulfill all righteous.

Jesus was baptized not only to set an example for us, but He was baptized as a surrogate for those who are unable to do so. He was baptized for the thief on the cross and for all the faithful descendants of Abel before the flood, and for all of God's children from Abraham on down to His time. When Adam sinned, he lost his position as the representative of the race in heaven, and Jesus became this surrogate in his place. Christ has become the surrogate bridegroom for God's people, the church. As Eve came into being as a result of the extraction of a rib and blood from Adam's side, so the church came into being as a result of Christ shed blood from a wound in His side. Thus Christ was a surrogate Adam in the creation of a new Eve.

Jesus was a surrogate for sin; He is a surrogate priest in the heavenly sanctuary; He was a surrogate in His baptism; He is the surrogate for Adam as prince of this world; He is the surrogate bridegroom of the new Eve, the church; Christ is "the divine Surrogate."