Why Did Jesus Come?

During this Christmas season, I have especially enjoyed reviewing what the New Testament has to say about the purpose of Jesus’ coming.  The Bible gives us many very clear statements that declare why He came into the world, many of them from the very words of Jesus Himself in the Gospels.  Here are just 10 of them to consider and meditate upon this Christmas.

·         Jesus came to serve and to give His life as a ransom.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Matt. 20:28

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Mark 10:45

·         Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Luke 19:10

·         Jesus came to provide eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

·         Jesus came to provide abundant life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

·         Jesus came to reveal and glorify the Father.

Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.  John 17:1-4

·         Jesus came to testify to the truth.

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.    John 18:37

·         Jesus came in order that we might be redeemed and adopted as God’s children.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Gal. 4:4-5

·         Jesus came in order to destroy the power of death and the devil.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.  Heb. 2:14

·         Jesus came to be a merciful and faithful High Priest and to remove God's wrath against our sins.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  Heb. 2:17

·         Jesus came to be a sin-removing sacrifice.

…but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  Heb. 9:26

Father, thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Son!  Help me today to fix my eyes upon Jesus and to behold and marvel at such a great salvation as You have provided!