By MOSES R CUNG
Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of Christ. In other words, it is the welcoming act of him being born as a human being and celebrating his birthday. Unfortunately, Christ’s presence is no longer felt at Christmas in our days. In place of Christ are the giving of gifts with Santa Clause as the central figure. So, what we see today are Santa Clause, red-nosed reindeer, snow-man instead of sheep; and in place of singing praises of baby Jesus by the angels are songs that have nothing to do with the real Christmas. There are many reasons why Christ came into the world but they are not taken seriously and not much spoken of. Every year the emphasis is put on how he was born. The Bible does say that we need to know how Christ was born but we also need to know why he had to come. Only by knowing the reasons why can we appreciate the benefits of his birth. Nowadays, if you ask someone why Christ came to the world, the only answer you'd get is: "He came to save sinners." However, Christ came for many reasons. Knowing them will make celebrating Christmas meaningful and worthwhile.
The many purposes of and benefits from Jesus coming to the world are:
Table of Contents
1. To show the image of God (John 1:18)
Man has never seen God. The Son in the bosom of the Father reveals the Father (John 1:18). Christ said, “He that has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14: 8). Genesis 1:26 says that God created man in His own image. So what does God look like? Humans want to know if he looks like something else or like human. So the Son made it clear that God was in the form of a man.
But because the Son left his glory when he came the first time, people did not fear him. They did not believe that he was the son of God. However, Peter James and John were terrified when they saw the glory of Christ with Moses and Elijah on the mountain (Matt. 1: 8). The apostle John, who previously was reclining in Jesus' bosom, said he was terrified when he saw the glory of Christ (Revelation 1:20). People today are not afraid of Christ because they have not seen the glory of God. They do not care. Let us respect and fear the glory of God.
2. To talk to the people (Hebrews 1: 1)
God is holy and man is defiled by sin. Therefore, it is not possible for man to have a relationship with God. When God speaks to man, he thinks it is thunder. “'Father, glorify your name!' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.' (John 12: 28-29)
When God spoke on Mount Sinai, the people were very much afraid. That is why later on God spoke to man through the prophets, dreams, and angels. In the last days, He sent His Son into the world to speak to mankind (Hebrews 1: 1). That is why his name is called the Word (John 1: 1). In our time, Christ can no longer be seen in person, but he can be heard through the Bible. Anyone who does not want to read the Bible does not want to listen to God.
3. To save man from judgment (John 3: 1-18)
God is the Judge (Isaiah 33:22). His court ruled that "the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23). But if people were to be judged for their sins, they would all die. So he sent his Son Jesus into the world to bear the sins of all mankind (Isaiah 53: 6; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Christ Jesus was condemned to death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. If we believe this, we will be free from judgment (John 3:18). If you believe in Jesus Christ, you will be free from judgment.
4. To give everlasting life (Romans 6:23; 1 John 5: 11-12)
People suffer all kinds of hardships, but they do not want to die. If one got a little sick, he would go to the hospital because he was afraid to die. If we value our physical body this much, we should value more about our spiritual body. God gives you eternal life. That life is in the Son. He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son has no life (1 John 5: 11-12). Accept the Son so that you may have eternal life. Eternal life cannot be obtained by living like a saint and following religious traditions. Eternal life can only be obtained through the acceptance of Christ.
5. To search for the lost (Luke 19:10)
When you say you lost your key, the key is still somewhere in its place. It is just that the key is not found in the expected location. In the same way, humans are lost in God's sight. But humans do not know they are lost. Man is lost in God's sight as long as man is in Adam. Therefore, he does not know the way back to heaven. He just keeps on searching for worldly things like gold, silver, and money. He enjoys the pleasures of the world. That is why Christ came into the world to search for the lost people. If you allow Christ to find you then you will have found life. This world is not a good place to live forever. Christ is looking for you to take you to the incomparable golden land called heaven.
6. To be a slave (Philippians 2: 5-8; Matt. 20:28)
Nobody wants to be a slave to others. Everyone wants to be the master and gives orders. It would be very sad if you were born a slave. But Jesus was born to be a slave to this world. He came to earth to listen to his Father. Therefore, Christ did not live like a master during the 33 years he lived on earth. He lived like a slave. Every slave obeys his master without talking back. In the same way, Jesus obeyed God the Father. Did not that obedience save mankind? By following Jesus' example, believers should have the mindset to serve God and men without wanting to be the master.
7. To do what the Father has commanded (John 5:30)
Christ did not come to earth to live according to his own will. He himself said that he had come to complete the work that his father had asked him to do. '“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”' (John 4:34). When Christ said that, He was talking about saving a Samaritan woman. Christ rejoiced in doing the will of the Father. He does not want to do halfway through. If Christ himself wants to accomplish the work of the Father, then believers should also do the work that God has given them to do. But now they are doing their own thing rather than serving their Father. Christ did not even need food because he was full of joy serving his Father. When his disciples urged him to eat Jesus said, "I have food that you do not know." (John 4: 31-32). Have you ever done what God has asked you to do?
8. To give sight to those who are blind (John 9:39)
Man sees with only the physical eye but his spiritual eye is blind. Therefore, he is not afraid of going to hell. He doesn't have the desire to find the way to go to heaven. He is obsessed with worldly things because he sees only those things. So Christ came to restore man's spiritual sight. "Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”' (John 9:39). But it is not worth it for Christ to come into the world if your spiritual eye is still blind.
9. To open the eyes of those who think they see (John 9:39)
'Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”' (John 9: 40-41) The Pharisees thought they see. Of course, they could see physically, but their spiritual eyes were blind.
Highly educated, learned, skilled worldly people think they see but they may be spiritually blind. They may not know why God has given them the wisdom and abilities. But because of their pride, Christ coming to this world became like a blind (veil) has been put on them. Let us not be numbered in that group.
10. To comfort the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18)
For a variety of reasons, some people are facing sadness. Christ came to heal their wounds. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. They will be relieved. God is near to those who have a broken heart (Ps. 51: 17). If you are depressed, do not try to kill yourself. Come to Christ. You will be relieved.
11. To proclaim the Year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:19)
When Christ began His ministry on earth, He read the Bible in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he was born. He said God sent him “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:19). These favored years mean a thousand years, which is to come in the future. Because during that Millennium, it will be a blessed time for him to rule over the earth. The days and months are in God's hands. God does not want people to be ignorant of those days He has planned. Therefore, man should redeem the time (meaning to take the opportunity of the remaining time). He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to show the times. But there are still many who are seeking earthly treasures because they do not know the times. You should not be part of this group.
12. To give peace (John 14: 27)
Christ is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9: 6). There is no peace in this world. There is no peace among nations, within family members, and between individuals. That is why Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 27) Only then can you find peace in your life. Let us accept the Lord of peace.
13. To give sword (Matt. 10:34)
Christ came to bring peace, but Satan and his followers did not accept him. They will always be hostile to those who accept Christ. Therefore, in the family and within the church, there will be problems among those who accept Christ and those who do not. That is why Christ said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn, a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (Matt. 10: 34-36). Why did Christ come to give sword? If everyone accepts Christ, there will be peace, but because of those who do not truly accept Christ (but are superficially accepting him), it is as though Christ has come to bring the sword or hostility among them.
14. To be the light (John 9: 5)
This world is spiritually dark because it's under Satan's rule. Darkness is good for nothing but to commit sin under its influence. People are wandering around without seeing in the dark. They stumble upon and fight with each other. So Christ himself said that he had come into the world to give light; "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9: 5). But it is sad if you still are in the dark. Let's come into the light so that Christ did not come to the world in vain. How would you receive light? Receiving Jesus as your savior is accepting the Light.
15. To undo the work of Satan (1 John 3: 8)
Satan the Devil has power. He subjected humans to slavery. Humans are enslaved to Satan and cannot do God's will. That is why Jesus came to earth to fight the devil. The Bible says, “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3: 8). Even though that case is over, many people are still being enslaved by Satan needlessly. You are urged to be a slave to God, instead of to Satan. How can you be freed from Satan's slavery? If you believe in Christ's victory over Satan and accept Christ as your Savior, you can be free from Satan's bondage. Do you accept Christ as your Savior?
16. To fulfill the law (Matt. 5: 17)
Man tries in his own way to return to God after sinning. But God's standard cannot be reached by man's effort. Because man does not surrender by his own accord, God sets His standard by establishing His law. The law was meant to expose man's sin (Romans 3:20). Man does not understand the laws given by God and tries to follow them by his natural ability. But no one can follow God's law. Worse still, man does not know that he cannot obey God's commandments. Because he doesn't know, he thinks there is no problem. For that reason, Christ came to fulfill all the necessary worship law such as Passover, burnt offering, grain Offerings, peace offerings, sin offering by sacrificing himself on the cross. It is important to know and understand these things. Moreover, when a person accepts Christ and allow Christ to rules over his life, Christ fulfills the moral laws inside of that person. That is why it is said that Christ came to fulfill all the commandments.
17. To become a curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
Man relies on the works of the law. They are cursed of the law. Because when you obey the law, you must obey everything that is written in the law. The Bible says, "If you do not do this, you will be cursed" (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Everyone who has ever been born is cursed because they do not obey all the laws. The problem is they are not only cursed under the law but they are not aware that they are being cursed. Whether they know it or not, those who are cursed must be crucified according to the law. But Jesus Christ saved us from the curse of the law by dying on the cross on our behalf. But even the majority of Christians still believe that they can get to heaven just by obeying the law. Christ has already saved us from the curse and death by dying on the cross (Galatians 3:13).
18. To not just live but to live an abundant life (John 10:10)
Christ not only came to save mankind from death, but also to give life. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) But that is also misinterpreted. Man thinks living abundant life means being able to live lavishly. In reality, living abundant life means living according to God's will. If you live according to God's will, you will be happy. It will be beneficial for you, and life will be meaningful. Are you living an abundant life? If not, accept Jesus and allow him to rule over you.
19. To be the way (John 14: 6)
If you get lost, you will not be able to get to where you want to go. Humans are just passengers in this world (1 Peter 1: 1). We will not live here forever on this earth. We are travelers heading to our eternal destiny. But we do not know the pathway. Jesus is that pathway. Christ declared, "I am the way." He is the way to get to heaven. Only if we follow him we will get to heaven. Have you accepted Christ who is the way to heaven?
20. To be offered as a sacrifice (Heb. 10: 5)
Man has to offer sacrifice to God for atonement of his sin. The Israelites offered animal sacrifices. But when God was not pleased with animal sacrifices, He prepared a physical body for his Son. Many sacrifices were offered to God by the Israelites: Burnt offerings and grain offering to bring sweet aroma fragrance to God; burnt-offering, fellowship offering for peace; sin-offering for atonement of sin; and so forth. However, these were only the shadows - meaning the real thing would follow. (Colossians 2:17).
Finally, Christ came into the world scene to fulfill those sacrifices. By sacrificing his body, all sacrifices were completed. That is to say that all blood sacrifice requirements were satisfied in the eyes of God. As a result, the curtain in the temple in Jerusalem was torn - meaning blood sacrifice is no longer a requirement (Matt. 2:51). But because the Israelites did not understand the significant of Jesus' self-sacrifice, and continued offering blood sacrifices, God allowed the temple to be completely destroyed in 70 AD. Sacrifice has ceased since then. Yet to these days the Israelites wish to offer sacrifices, but they could not because the Temple is not there. God has firmly guarded the temple by allowing the Muslims to build a mosque at the very site where the Temple once stood. If only the Muslims did not guard the site, the Israelites would have taken over the site by force, or buy their way with enough money and build the temple by now, and offer sacrifices again. To these days, the people of Israel are weeping and praying because they cannot offer sacrifices. But no matter how hard they long for and pray, God does not listen. Because the body of Christ has been offered as the ultimate sacrifice, sacrificial offering of any kind is no longer needed.
21 To make peace between man and God (Romans 5: 9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
Man and God are enemies. Therefore, man is always against God's will. Man does not want to seek God's help nor wants to pray. Man does not want to know what God is saying to him (ie. read the Bible). Man only wants to do things that God does not want him to do. Man loves what God hates. But because God loved man with all his heart, he sent his Son to die to make peace with man. The Bible says, “God has made peace with us through Jesus Christ. He has given us the authority to preach that covenant.”(2 Corinthians 5:19). How do you make peace through Jesus Christ? The Bible says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10). God has already made peace with us through the death of Christ. But people do not want that peace because they do not know it. Only peace with God can bring true peace.
22. To make peace between fellow men (Ephesians 2: 14-18)
Man is at war not only with God but also with fellow men. Fighting has been going on between different countries, nations, and races. All of this is due to sin and selfishness. No matter how many times people make peace, they never stop fighting with each other. But Paul wrote that the death of Christ provided the opportunity to break down the wall of nations and bring peace. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2: 14-18)
The two men Paul mentioned in the above verses are Israelites and Gentiles. The Israelites despised the Gentiles and treated them like dogs. Gentiles are seen as sinners. The Gentiles did not care about the Israelites. But now, the two are united by the death of Christ. Everyone who dies and is resurrected in Christ today will not be racially divided but will have the opportunity to make peace with each other without favoritism. For those who accept this, there is no discrimination; No racial divide; No upper class, no lower class. All can unite like brothers and sisters. Christ came to die in order to create that reality. So, have you made peace with others? Do racial matters still play very important part of your life? If so, accept Christ. Those things will disappear.
23. To be with human beings (Emmanuel) (Matt. 1:23)
God created man because he wanted to be with people. But because of sin, man could not be reconciled to God. In the days of Moses, God dwelt in the tabernacle in a cloud. When the temple was built, he dwelt in it. But in the last days, God assumed human nature and walked among sinners. 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel (which means “God with us”).' (Matt. 1:23). “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12).
24. To be a role model (Heb. 12: 2; Philippians 2: 5)
Those who accept Christ are sons of God. But because the sons of God did not know how to live, Christ tried to demonstrate by living like man and going through the sufferings of this world like the rest of the people. Christ obeyed God the Father while on earth. He came to be a servant in this world. Though he was the son of God, he did not live in luxury. He did not live in glory. Therefore, believers in God should be as humble, obedient and be content like Christ was. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2: 5).
25 To be a stumbling block (Romans 9:33)
Christ came to save His people, but when they did not know Him, he became a stumbling block for them. As it is written, “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 9:33) That rock was Christ. Because they did not know the Christ, they stumbled on that rock and fell. How do they fall? When a person does not see a rock, he will stumble upon and fall. If he sees it, there is no reason to hit the rock. In the same way, the Israelites did not know Christ as their Savior, so they found faults on him, stumbled upon him, and eventually crucified him. Is Christ a stumbling block for you? If you lean on that rock, you will be spared from being humiliated.
26. To bear the sins of this world
Just as God commanded, the people of Israel celebrated the Day of Atonement once a year. On that day Aaron the priest would take the live goat and put the sin of the Israelites on the goat's head and send it into the wilderness (Lev. 16: 20-21). That act is a shadow. Isaiah prophesized about the real one, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53: 6). This is what John the Baptist said about this fulfillment. “The next day, when John sees Jesus coming, look at the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Paul wrote: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21). As it has been prophesized, Christ came to take away the sins of the world (that includes you). What's left to do is to just accept that Christ came and took away your sins.
27. To die as a Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5: 8)
In order to be freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites slaughtered the Passover lamb, painted the blood on the doorposts and eat the meat. Because of the blood of the Lamb, they were saved from death and freed from slavery (Exodus 12). The Passover celebrated by the Israelites was fulfilled when Christ died as the Passover lamb. Paul said, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5: 8). Because of him we have been set free from judgement of sin, slavery of satan and sin.
28. To be the bread of life (John 6: 48-52)
Man has three parts: body, soul and spirit. We know the foods of our body that we eat every day. The food of the mind is music, movies, and beauty and the likes. The food of the spirit is Christ. Christ Himself said, "I am the bread of life."(John 6:48). If we do not eat Christ, we will not have life. How do we eat Christ? Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me (Revelation 3:20). If you open your heart to Christ and let him in, He will enter into you and will be consumed by your spirit. Christ came to be the bread of life. Will you eat Christ, the bread of life?
29. To be the firstfruit (1 Corinthians 15:20)
The Israelites offered the firstfruits of their field to God each year (Leviticus 2). It was a shadow that was fulfilled in Christ. The firstfruits of the tree were the first things that came out of the earth. In the same way, Christ was the first person to be resurrected from the grave with an indestructible body. That is why Paul said, “Christ is risen from the dead; He is the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Thus, Christ came into the world to be the firstfruit to God.
30. To conquer death (Heb. 2: 14-15)
Death is the greatest and most feared enemy of all. Because of this fear of death, people are the slaves of it for life. The Bible says, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.(Heb. 2: 14-15).
Christ died and rose again. So Christ was able to prove about himself being the life and the resurrection. Anyone who believes in him can hope to be resurrected even if he dies. Thus, believers no longer have to fear death.
31. To make people righteous (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24)
Righteousness means free of sin. Man cannot be righteous by his own strength. People tend to think that they can be righteous if they obey the law. But no one can obey the law (God's law).
That is why God sent Christ into the world to justify mankind. Paul said, "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24)
Again “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
32. To be the shepherd (John 10:11)
The prophet Isaiah said, "Like sheep we go astray, each one goes his own way." (Isaiah 53: 6). The sheep rely and live on the shepherd. King David said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm. 23: 1-2). The shepherd knows where the green pastures and where the water is. That is why God sent his Son to earth to be a shepherd to mankind. Christ said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”(John 10:14). Christ came to be your shepherd; Do you accept Christ as your Shepherd? It is useless to accept him only by lips. He must be accepted by showing evidences in our lives. If Christ is your Shepherd, you will not go anywhere or do anything without His permission.
33. To Express God's Love (John 3:16)
God so loved the people He created. Love is providing, giving it all and sacrificing. Spending money is not a concern if there is love. Love can be the motivator for spending with and giving time to loved ones and providing physical and mental supports as well. The Bible says that God also loves mankind. “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.” (John 3:16). By sending Christ into the world, we can see how much God loves mankind. How would you respond to a God who loves you so much? Would you rather ignore it or would rather worship him?
34 To fulfill the Bible (Luke 4:21)
The Old Testament foretold the coming of Christ in several places. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1: 10-11).
Again “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’” (Hebrews 10: 5-7) This is what Christ said to the two disciples who went to the north after his resurrection. “He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!'” (Luke 24: 25-2) By coming to this world, Christ fulfilled the Bible's prophecies about him.
35. To heal the sick (Isaiah 53: 5)
Christ came down to take away not only the sins of men but also the physical sickness. In the Bible “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”(Isaiah 53: 5).
The fulfillment of the Bible is found in Matthew: “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'” (Matt. 8: 16-1). Accept by faith by believing that Christ has taken away your sicknesses.
36. To establish the Kingdom (Matt. 4: 17)
Christ was born as King and came to establish his Kingdom. “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”(Matt. 3: 1-2). “From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”(Matt. 4: 17). However, his kingdom could not be established because the leaders of his people did not accept it. Because of their rejection of the kingdom, the Israelites (Jews) were driven out of the land and scattered throughout the world. And in every nation they come to live, they are not able to stay in peace but have to endure torture, killing, discrimination to these days.
37 To be the King (Matt. 2: 1-2; John 18: 37)
It can be found that Christ was born as King. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”(Matt. 2: 1-2). “'You are a king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.' ”(John 18: 37). Just as the Jews did not accept Christ as King, so do the people of today. If he is the king, Christ must be ruler your life.
38. To reveal the Truth (John 18: 3)
He himself said that Christ had come to speak the truth; “the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18: 37). He himself preached the truth; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6). He preached that one can be liberated only by knowing that truth. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). Therefore, those who have not yet been set free have not yet experienced the benefits of Christ's coming.
39. To put the old man to death (Romans 6: 6)
Everyone born from the mother's womb is called old man. The old man was born a slave to sin automatically because he's the direct descendant of Adam. That is why the old man is unable to obey God, so he lives on as a sinner, committing sins all his life. Christ came into the world to solve the old man's sinner-nature. "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6: 6-7) God put everyone in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:20) and let them die on the cross along with Christ. It is very important to accept this by faith.
40. To kill the carnal-self (Galatians 5:24)
Everyone has a carnal life. The carnal life means governing one's life according to his or her own will. No matter how good the life of the carnal person is, it is impossible for him to please God. The Bible says: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8: 5-7)
That flesh could not be made perfect by law. Because man is not capable of dealing with it, Christ came down to earth to deal with it. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24) The flesh was crucified with Christ.
41. To crucify the “world” to death (Galatians 6:14)
The world that we live in includes politics, businesses; social education, religion, ethnicity, sin and culture. This world was created by God and given to Adam. But because Adam obeyed Satan, the whole world fell into Satan's hands. Ironically, Satan try to sell the world back to Christ in this way; “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, 'I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.'” (Luke 4: 5-7)
Satan uses his world to lure people away from God. That is why God said, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2: 15-16). But no matter how much man has been warned, because he loves the world so much, he has to eventually be separated from the world by death. Paul said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14).
The crucifixion had three crosses with the believer being crucified in Christ, and two wicked men representing the world on each side. As a result, the world cannot touch you. No matter how much the world scorn, laughs at and bully you, you have nothing answer back or brag about because you were already beaten to death on the cross.
42. To establish the church (Matt. 16:18)
Christ came down to establish the church on this earth. When the Israelites failed to do God's will, he chose to build a church with people from all nations who believed in him and chose to do His will. Christ Himself said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matt. 16:18).
Satan is imitating Christ and is building many churches. How can we know the churches that Satan has built? We know them by what they do or not do; These churches do not talk about salvation, and they hate those who talk about it and stop them. In such congregations the Bible is not the focus but the people give priority to man's ideas, social gatherings rather than doing God's will, education, politics and racial matters. It prioritizes physical and mental happiness over spiritual ones. They hate those who preach the truth. Such churches may operate as the church of God, but they are not God-approved.
43. To give blessings after blessings (John 1:16)
In the Bible "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given." (John 1:16). Christ's coming is to give blessing on top of ones already given. He came to give many blessings: spiritual and physical. These blessings can only be obtained through faith. The Bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11: 6) Have you received those blessings?
44. To share the good news with the poor
The prophet Isaiah, about seven hundred years before the coming of Christ, made this revelation. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61: 1-3).
Christ read that verse in the synagogue in Nazareth; “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4: 18-19).
Jesus saith "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21).
45. To cause division among families (Matt. 10:35)
Christ Himself said, “For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matt. 10: 35-39).
Why did Christ come to divide the family? In reality, he came to bring unity in the family, but within the family, there are those who accept him and those who do not. That is why he says that he who love his parents, brothers and sisters more than me does not deserve me. Christ expect us to love him more than we love our own family. That's a very difficult thing to do. Therefore, to love Christ, which is difficult, is to carry the cross. He who does not bear the cross is not worthy of Christ.
46. To cause the Israelites to fall and rise up again (Luke 2:34)
On the eighth day, Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem by his parents and presented to God. At that time, the priests, “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,” (Luke 2:34) Why did Simeon say this? Because among the Israelites, those who believed in Christ would be raised. However, those who think they are standing will fall because they do not accept Christ. Christ also foretold that there would be arguments among the Israelites themselves on account of him.
47. To grieve Mary (Luke 2:35)
Simeon said to Mary, "The sword will strike your heart." (Luke 2:35). Christ came to stab Mary in the heart. Because when Christ was killed, she was devastated and heartbroken. As a mother, how great her sadness of grief would have been. That's what the High Priest Simeon prophesied about regarding what the coming of Christ would cause to Mary.
48. To bring people thoughts into the open (Luke 2:34-35)
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Christ always knows and understands people's thoughts. As has been written, the thoughts of many have been brought into the open because of Christ.
In conclusion:
Only 48 reasons have been showcased here even though there are many more. May God open the spiritual eyes of the readers this Christmas and may they reap the abundant rewards from learning those.
God bless.
Maranatha!