Why Did Jesus Come? Part 2
In Wednesday's post, we discussed two reasons that Jesus came. Today we'll continue with three additional reasons, but this list is by no means exhaustive. As we reflect on Jesus this Advent season, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Post additional reasons and reflections on why Jesus came in the comments.
-----------
Maybe you grew up in the church but never felt safe to ask the "why" questions. You've sat in church pews your whole life, but you still don't understand the point of this "Christian thing." Or maybe you're exploring Christianity, curious about the Christmas carols and traditions, but no one has ever explained the gospel to you. Or perhaps, you're confident in your belief in the good news and want to share it with your friends and family this Christmas season. In any case, the following question is the most important one you could ask this Advent season, "Why did Jesus come?"
3. Out of Obedience to the Father
Our third reason Jesus came is this: Jesus came to Earth out of obedience to the Father. He took on our sins to fulfill the Father's masterful plan of redemption.
Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said: You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me. You did not delight in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said, "See – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, God." – Hebrews 10:5-7
Bringing it home: Jesus was the perfect Son. The perfect brother. The perfect neighbor. Can you imagine what that must have been like for Mary and Joseph to parent the perfect child? To never have your son talk back to you? To have a child who is always compassionate, truthful, sensitive, loving, and pure? It makes me chuckle even thinking about it because, to be honest, I can't even imagine. We've had several fights between my kids this morning alone. But Jesus was perfect. He not only obeyed Mary and Joseph as their perfect Son, but He also perfectly obeyed His heavenly Father.
This perfect child submitted to God and left the splendors of heaven to be born in a broken world. As He grew, He experienced pain, betrayal, and rejection. He cried at the death of His friend and grieved the corruption of His city. Though God's plan included dirt, blood, and tears, Jesus obeyed perfectly, every step of the way. The Father had a beautiful plan to redeem His people through the ransom of His Son.
4. To Be As a Ransom for Many
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He came in a posture of humility, service, love, and sacrifice.
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28
Bringing it home: When my husband and I lived overseas, we were once invited to attend a Muslim sacrifice ritual. It was in the field of a local school, and all I can say about the event was that there was a lot of blood. A lot of blood. Those standing in the front row got splattered as the cow's life dripped down into a rugged dirt hole. (There's a point in my telling you all this, I promise).
In the Old Testament days, there were a lot of animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. That means, there was a lot of blood. The blood of chosen lambs and spotless animals regularly bore the sins of the people and made payment for their disobedience. But the problem was, the people kept sinning. One sacrifice was never enough. Because the Israelites broke the law and we're guilty before a holy God, they needed continual sacrifices to atone for their sins or they would die.
When Jesus came, He became the once-and-for-all sacrifice for sins. From His birth to His death, He lived a perfect life. He fulfilled every single commandment. Every single law. He never had an impure thought or disobeyed His parents. He never lusted after a woman or was sinfully angry at his brothers. He was the perfect baby, the perfect toddler, the perfect teen, and a perfect adult. He never sinned and when He died, He atoned for the sins of all who would believe in him. He became the spotless lamb who took the punishment that we deserved, becoming our ransom. But not only this, He rose again to offer us eternal life with Him.
5. Because He Loves Us
Finally, Jesus came because He loves us. He didn't wait until we're good enough to show His love to us. Rather, He loved us when we were unlovely.
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13
Bringing it home: If you heard the song "Jesus loves me" growing up, it might feel like a childish memory. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. They're great words for a 7-year-old, but might feel a little outdated for you today. After all, you don't feel God's love or pleasure. Instead, you feel darkness and sadness. He feels far and life feels hard.
But through the Bible, we know that Jesus came because He loves us. He came to bring peace to earth (Isaiah 9:6). He came to open the eyes of the blind and heal the wounds of hurting (Isaiah 42:7). He came to bid our striving cease. Not only this, but because Jesus endured sorrow and grief when He entered into the human experience, we know that He empathizes with us in our weaknesses. He knows what it means to hurt, and He hurts with us. And though we cannot yet see Him face to face, He will come again. He will heal all our hurts and our pains, and He will right every wrong.
Until that day, we remember Jesus's love expressed through His sacrifice. Because Jesus loves us, He left the splendors of heaven to come to earth and empathize with our struggles. Because He loves us, He reconciled us with the Father. Because He loves us, He died a brutal death on the cross. Because He loves us, He rose again from the dead, offering life everlasting for all who believe in Him.
Jesus doesn't cringe at showing us mercy. He loves us. Jesus is full of compassion and for the joy set before Him, Jesus laid down His life to set us free (Hebrews 12:2). He delights in loving and saving His children. So this Christmas season, take heart because Christ has come. Jesus loves you and made a way for you to be saved through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. He sympathizes with you in your weakness. He is near.
