The question of why God sent Jesus to the world is one that has been pondered by theologians, scholars, and believers for centuries. At its core, this question touches on the very essence of Christian doctrine and the heart of the Gospel message. Understanding the reasons behind God's decision to send His Son into the world requires us to delve into the nature of God, the condition of humanity, and the overarching narrative of the Bible.
The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). This fundamental attribute of God's character is pivotal in understanding His actions towards humanity. From the very beginning, God created humans out of love, desiring a relationship with them. However, this relationship was marred by sin when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). This act of disobedience brought sin and death into the world, severing the intimate relationship between God and humanity.
The pervasive nature of sin affected every aspect of human existence. The Apostle Paul writes, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin created a chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a gap that humans could not bridge on their own. The holiness of God demands justice, and the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Yet, God's love for humanity compelled Him to provide a way for reconciliation.
God's plan for redemption is a central theme throughout the Bible. From the promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15 to the prophecies of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament, we see a consistent thread of God's redemptive plan unfolding. The prophets spoke of a coming Redeemer who would restore the broken relationship between God and His people. Isaiah, for instance, prophesied about a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53).
In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus, being fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to accomplish the work of salvation. His incarnation—God taking on human flesh—was a profound act of humility and love. As the Gospel of John states, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). Jesus entered into the human experience, living a sinless life, and revealing the character and love of God.
One of the primary reasons God sent Jesus to the world was to reveal His nature and will to humanity. Jesus is described as the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) and the "exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). Through His teachings, miracles, and interactions, Jesus demonstrated God's love, grace, mercy, and justice. He revealed the heart of the Father and provided a model for righteous living.
However, the ultimate purpose of Jesus' mission was to provide a means of salvation for humanity. Jesus Himself declared, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). This salvation was accomplished through His sacrificial death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, bearing the punishment that humanity deserved. As Paul writes, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The crucifixion of Jesus was the pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan. It was on the cross that Jesus declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His work of atonement. Through His death, Jesus satisfied the demands of God's justice while simultaneously demonstrating His boundless love. The cross is where God's justice and mercy meet.
Jesus' resurrection is equally crucial to understanding why God sent Him to the world. The resurrection validated Jesus' claims and demonstrated His victory over sin and death. Paul emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:17, stating, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." The resurrection assures believers of their future hope and eternal life.
Furthermore, Jesus' mission was not only about individual salvation but also about inaugurating the Kingdom of God. Throughout His ministry, Jesus proclaimed, "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). The Kingdom of God represents God's rule and reign, bringing restoration and renewal to all creation. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection marked the beginning of this Kingdom, which will be fully realized when He returns.
In addition to providing salvation and revealing God's nature, Jesus' coming also fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and covenants. From the Abrahamic covenant to the Davidic covenant, God's promises pointed to a future Redeemer who would bless all nations and establish an everlasting kingdom. Jesus is the fulfillment of these promises, as Matthew's Gospel frequently highlights (e.g., Matthew 1:22-23, 2:15).
Moreover, Jesus' coming established a new covenant between God and humanity. This new covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, promised the forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart. Jesus inaugurated this covenant through His blood, shed on the cross (Luke 22:20). Under this new covenant, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live according to God's will and transforms them into the likeness of Christ.
The sending of Jesus also has profound implications for the Church. Jesus commissioned His followers to continue His mission, making disciples of all nations and spreading the message of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20). The Church is called to be the body of Christ, representing Him in the world and carrying out His work of reconciliation and restoration.
In summary, God sent Jesus to the world for multiple, interwoven reasons. Primarily, it was an expression of His immense love and desire for a restored relationship with humanity. Jesus came to reveal God's nature, provide a means of salvation, fulfill Old Testament prophecies, establish a new covenant, inaugurate the Kingdom of God, and commission His followers to continue His mission. Each of these aspects contributes to the profound and multifaceted purpose of Jesus' incarnation, death, and resurrection.
Ultimately, the sending of Jesus is the greatest demonstration of God's love and grace. As John 3:16 so beautifully encapsulates, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse, often referred to as the Gospel in a nutshell, highlights the heart of God's redemptive plan and the incredible lengths to which He went to bring salvation to a broken and lost world.
