Why did Jesus come?

Why did Jesus come? To redeem us? Yes (Galatians 3:13). To forgive us? Yes (Luke 23:34). To give us eternal life? Yes (John 3:16) To reconcile us to God? Yes (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). To re-create us? Yes (2 Corinthians 5:17). But if I had to sum up what He did in God’s plan of redemption, this would be my answer:

1 John 3:8b (NIV) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Destroy the devil’s work. What are the devil’s works? Taking us out of fellowship with God. That made us vulnerable to sin and all of its side-effects – death, sickness, lack, depression, and fear, for starters (look at Deuteronomy 28 for an extended list). That’s what Christ redeemed us from – the curse of the Law. Instead we are once again related to God, with the benefits of that relationship to a good Father.

Look at what Jesus sent His disciples to do:

Matthew 10:7-8 (NIV) As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Jesus told us we’d receive power to witness to what He’s done when the Holy Spirit comes (Acts 1:8) and gave us a list of things that should accompany preaching (Mark 16:15-20). Are we as Christians working towards that goal of “doing what Jesus did”? Telling people about God’s love and goodness, and demonstrating it? Or are we busy making ourselves comfortable in our homes and churches, while we hope and pray that He will come back quickly?

Doug