The Bible teaches that God sent Jesus Christ into the world to accomplish His divine purposes and bring salvation to humanity. Here are some of the key reasons highlighted in Scripture for why God sent His Son:
To reveal God to us
Jesus came to perfectly reveal the nature and character of God to humanity (John 1:18, John 14:9). Through His life, teachings, death on the cross, and resurrection, Jesus manifested God’s love, mercy, righteousness, and grace to the world in a way that had never been done before.
To be the atoning sacrifice for our sins
The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But God in His love sent Christ to die on the cross as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2). Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice and wrath toward sin, making salvation and forgiveness available to all who repent and believe in Him (Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 4:10).
To destroy the works of the devil
The apostle John writes that the Son of God appeared to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Through His incarnation, Jesus came to undo and overturn the curse of sin, sickness, and the power of Satan that had corrupted God’s good creation (1 John 3:8, Colossians 2:15).
To give us abundant and eternal life
Jesus said He came to give life in abundance to all who believe in Him (John 10:10). By His sacrifice, Jesus made eternal life available to us. All who put their faith in Christ receive the gift of eternal life and are promised a future resurrection to immortality (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
To establish the kingdom of God
Part of Jesus’ mission was to inaugurate the kingdom of God on earth (Luke 4:43, Matthew 4:17). Though the kingdom will be fully established at His Second Coming, Jesus began ushering it in during His earthly ministry. He taught about it, demonstrated its power through miracles, and extended its blessings to those who believed.
To fulfill Old Testament prophecies
From Genesis to Malachi, there are over 300 prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled these ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection (Luke 24:27, 44, John 5:39). His fulfillment of these prophecies authenticated His identity as the true Messiah.
To serve as our perfect example
Not only did Jesus die for our sins, but He lived a perfect life as an example for how we should live. 1 Peter 2:21 states “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Through His flawless obedience, Jesus demonstrated what it means to truly love God and love our neighbor.
To be the mediator between God and man
Sin created separation between God and humans (Isaiah 59:2). So God sent His Son to serve as the one mediator between God and humanity, bridging the gap that existed between the holy God and sinful man (1 Timothy 2:5). As the God-man, Jesus is able to represent both parties and bring reconciliation.
To make salvation available to all people
In Old Testament times, God primarily worked through the nation of Israel. But Jesus came to make salvation available to all nations, tribes, and people (Matthew 28:19, John 3:16). His death tore down the dividing walls between Jews and Gentiles, making access to God available to all through faith.
To rescue and call us to be His people
The Bible presents Jesus as a Savior and Redeemer who came to rescue people from bondage to sin and Satan. He calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light and makes us into a people belonging to God (1 Peter 2:9). Through His sacrifice, we are purchased and adopted as God’s children (Titus 2:14, Galatians 4:5).
To give the Holy Spirit to indwell believers
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go away so that the Holy Spirit could be sent to indwell believers (John 16:7). Because of Jesus’ finished work, the Spirit is now given to all who put their faith in Him (Acts 2:38). The Spirit empowers us, guides us into truth, transforms us into Christ’s image, and enables us to live godly lives.
To intercede for us as High Priest
After His ascension, Jesus is now seated at the Father’s right hand interceding for all who draw near to God through Him (Romans 8:34). Having experienced life on earth and being tempted in every way, Jesus serves as our sympathetic High Priest who represents us before the Father’s throne (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In summary, Jesus came for many important purposes – to save us from sin, defeat Satan, inaugurate God’s kingdom, fulfill prophecy, set an example for holy living, serve as mediator and intercessor, and bring the blessings of the Holy Spirit. All of these accomplishments were part of God’s gracious plan to redeem a people for Himself and restore His creation from the devastation of sin and the Curse.