52 REASONS
WHY JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD
By MOSES R CUNG
There are many reasons why Christ came into the world but those are not much spoken of and taken seriously. Every year, the emphasis is put, if at all, on how he was born in a lowly manger on the cold winter's night. It is important to know how Christ was born so it was written in the Bible. But we also need to know why he had to come in the first place. Only by knowing the reasons he came 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 the sinners." That's true. However, Christ came for many other reasons. Knowing those will make celebrating Christmas more rich, rewarding and meaningful.
Here are the many purposes and benefits of Jesus' coming into the world.
Table of Contents
1. To show the image of God (John 1:18)
No one has ever 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. 17: 1-8). The apostle John, who previously was reclining in Jesus' bosom, said he was terrified when he saw the glory of Christ. (Revelation 1:17) People today are not afraid of and do not care about Jesus Christ because they have not seen him in his glory. Let us think it over, and 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 still 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: 17-18)
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 being condemned (John 3:18). If you believe in Jesus Christ, you will be free from being condemned. Would you like to be free from being condemned?
4. To give everlasting life (Romans 6:23; 1 John 5: 11-12)
People suffer many hardships in life, but they do not want to die. If one gets a little sick, he would go to the hospital because he is afraid of dying. If we value our physical body that much, we should value more about our spiritual body. God gives you the 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 by accepting Jesus Christ.
5. To search for the lost (Luke 19:10)
When you say you lost your key, the key actually is not lost. You say you lost it because you have not found it 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 he is in Adam. Therefore, he does not know the way back to heaven. He just keeps spending his time on searching for worldly things like gold, silver, and money. He enjoys the pleasures the world has to offer. 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 heaven. Are you lost? Would you like to go to 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 one who gives orders. It would be sad if you were born a slave. But Jesus was born to be a slave to this world. He came to earth to obey his Father. "Whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 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." (Matt 20:27-28) Paul wrote, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7) Therefore, Christ did not behave like a master during the 33 years that he lived on earth. He lived like a slave. Slave obeys his master without complaint. In the same way, Jesus obeyed God the Father. Because Jesus obeyed, he was able to save the world. 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 assigned to him. '“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 things halfway. If Christ himself wants to accomplish the work of the Father, then believers should also do the work that God gave them to do. Should believers be doing their own thing rather than serving their heavenly Father? Christ did not even need food because he was full of joy just by 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? Would you like to do it now?
8. To give sight to the blind (John 9:39)
Man sees with only physical eyes while his spiritual eyes are 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. That is why Christ came to restore man's spiritual eye 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 Christ to have come to the world if your spiritual eyes are 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 could see. Of course, they could see physically, but their spiritual eyes were blind.
Highly educated and skilled people think that 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 the blind (veil) has been put on them. Let us not be numbered in that group.
10. 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) Let us accept the Lord of peace. Only then can we find peace in our life.
11. 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, within members of the family and the church, there will be problems between 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, it is as though Christ has come to bring the sword or hostility among them.
12. 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.
13. To undo the work of Satan (1 John 3: 8)
Satan has power. He subjected humans into slavery. Because man is enslaved to Satan and he cannot know nor perform 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 work has been completed, many people are still needlessly being enslaved by Satan. Instead of being a slave to Satan, you are urged to be a slave to God. 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?
14. To fulfill the law (Matt. 5: 17)
Man tries to return to God on his own way after becoming a sinner. But God's standard cannot be reached by man's effort. Because man does not want to surrender on 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 the full extent of his stupidity, he thinks there is no problem even if he cannot follow. 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.
15. 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 the law in its entirety. The problem is that 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. Sadly, even the majority of Christians still believe that they can get to heaven just by obeying the law. Remember, Christ has already saved us from the curse and death by dying on the cross (Galatians 3:13).
16. To not just live but to live it abundantly (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.
17. 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, who are 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?.
18. 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. 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 - the real thing follows after this. (Colossians 2:17). Because God was not pleased with animal sacrifices, He prepared a physical body for his Son.
And so, finally, Christ came into the world scene to fulfill those sacrifices. By sacrificing his body, all the offering of sacrifices were accomplished. 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 in two - meaning blood sacrifice is no longer the 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. Offering sacrifices has ceased since then. Yet to these days the Israelites wish to resume the ritual. But they could not because the temple is not there anymore. 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 through with enough money and build the temple by now, and offer sacrifices again. To these days, the Israelistes are weeping and praying, and have a longing because they cannot offer sacrifices. But no matter how hard they long for and pray, God is not listening to them. Because the body of Christ has been offered as the ultimate sacrifice. Sacrificial offering of any kind is no longer needed.
19. 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 want to pray, nor want to read his words. 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.
20. To make peace between fellow men (Ephesians 2: 14-18)
Man is at war not only with God but also with his fellow man. Fighting has been going on between 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 discrimination. For those who accept this, there is no discrimination; no racial divide; no upper class nor 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.
21. To be with human beings (Emmanuel) (Matt. 1:23)
God created man because he wanted to be with people. But because of sin, man God cannot have normal fellowship. 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).
22. 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 demonstrated by living like a man, 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 a luxurious life. 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).
23. 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 him, they stumbled upon that rock and fell. 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.
24. 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 was a shadow of what was to come. Isaiah prophesized about the real act of that symbolism saying, "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 had been prophesized, Christ came to take away the sins of the world (that world includes you). What's left to do is to just accept the fact that Christ came and took away your sins.
25. 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 the foreshadow of what was to come, and it 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, and slavery of satan.
26. To be the bread of life (John 6: 48-52)
Man is a tripartite being with body, soul and spirit. We already 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? When you eat something you take the food into your body by your mouth for digestion. The concept is the same for your spiritual body. You are to take your spiritual food into your body for digestion. 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?.
27. To be the firstfruit (1 Corinthians 15:20)
Each year, the Israelites offered to God the firstfruits their farm produced (Leviticus 2). It was a shadow that was later fulfilled in Christ. The firstfruits are fruits that come out of the soil the very first time. 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). He presented himself to God after his resurrection. Thus, Christ came into the world to be the firstfruit to God.
28. 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.
29. To make people righteous (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24)
Righteousness means free of sin. Man cannot be righteous by his own effort. People tend to think that they can be righteous if they obey the law. But no one can obey the law (God's law). For that reason, 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)
30. 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 are completely dependent 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 is 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.
31. To Express God's Love (John 3:16)
Love is providing, sacrificing, and giving it all. 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. God so loved the people he created. “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 the God who loves you so much? Would you rather ignore it, or would worship him?
32. To fulfill the Scriptures (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, “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 prophecies written about him in the Scriptures.
33. To heal the sick (Isaiah 53:5)
Christ came down to take away not only the sins of man but also his physical sickness. The Bible said, “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). By believing in him, you can accept that Christ has taken away your sicknesses.
34. To establish the Kingdom (Matthew 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 him to be their king. Because of their rejection of the kingdom, the Israelites (the 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, killings, and discrimination to these days.
35. To be the King (Matthew 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 these days. If he is the King, Christ must be the ruler of your life.
36. To proclaim 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.
37. To put the old man to death (Romans 6: 6)
Everyone born of 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..
38. 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.
39. 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: “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 believers 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.
40. 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). More on this here.
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 they try to stop them. In such congregations the Bible is not the focus but the people there 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.
41. To give blessings after blessings (John 1:16)
The Bible said, "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 the 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?
42. 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 loves 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 our own cross. He who does not bear the cross is not worthy of Christ.
43. 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, Simeon, the priests, “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 that? It was 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.
44. To grieve Mary (Luke 2:35)
Simeon said to Mary, "The sword will strike your heart." (Luke 2:35). Christ came to pierce the heart of Mary. Because when Christ was killed, she was devastated and heartbroken. As a mother, how great her sadness of grief would have been. The High Priest Simeon prophesied regarding what the coming of Christ would cause to Mary.
45. To bring people thoughts into the open (Luke 2:34-35)
Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mother Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 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.
46. To share the good news to the poor
About seven hundred years before the coming of Christ, the prophet Isaiah 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 said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21).
47. To comfort the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18)
"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, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 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." (Isiah 61:1-3)
"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,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." (Luke 4:19)
For a variety of reasons, some people are facing sadness in life. Christ came to heal their wounds. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. They will be relieved of their sufferrings. God is near to those who are broken hearted (Ps. 51: 17). If you are depressed, do not try to kill yourself. Come to Christ. You will be relieved.
"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, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 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)
"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,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4: 18-19)
49. To proclaim the Year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:19)
"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, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 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)
When Christ began His ministry on earth, He read the Bible in the synagogue in Nazareth. He said God sent him “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:19). The favored year is the thousand years, which is to come in the future. That millennium will be known as a blessed time for him since he will rule over the earth. The days and months are in God's hands. God does not want people to be ignorant of those days as He has planned ahead of time. Therefore, man should redeem the time --meaning to take every opportunity of their remaining time of their lives by prioritizing what they should do. 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 that group.
50. To shed blood for the new covenant
God and the people of Israel were husband and wife (Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 3:14, Jeremiah 31:32, Ezekiel 16:8, Ezekiel 23:1-4) and were engaged at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6). They were married there by Moses (Exodus 24:1-8). In that marriage, they to took a vow on the covenant. Israel must listen to God, her husband. In other words, the covenant must be kept. God treasured Israel. He fed them, and cared for them. They established their marriage or covenant with the blood of bulls and goats (Exodus 24:6-8; Hebrews 9:18-20). However, while Moses was on the mountain for 40 days, the Israelites betrayed God and worshiped idols (Exodus 32:1-6). Since then, throughout their history, the Israelites had not been faithful to God. They worshiped only idols instead. They fornicated with idols, and became unfaithful. Therefore, God divorced his wife (Jeremiah 3:8).
But God could not stop loving his ex-wife. Therefore, He lamented bitterly, " 'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10). Therefore, he wanted to remarry the woman he had divorced."“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
The first covenant was made with animal blood. The new covenant would be established not with the blood of animals but with the blood of His Son. "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28)
Now, although God and the Israelites have not yet made a covenant, Christ came down to shed blood to establish the covenant.
51. To suffer on our behalf so we may become rich
Paul said, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9) A carnal man has misundersting about this verse. The carnal man is a believer who still lives according to his fleshly desires. He thinks that Christ suffered so that he might prosper, and there is no need to live as a poor person. He thinks if you are poor, it is because you do not believe.
These believers think as such because they do not know the truth and the full-extend of the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Where is Jesus' wealth? Is it not in the kingdom of heaven? So then, why didn't he bring his wealth to the world when he came? If he brought his wealth, wouldn't the Jews accept hm? The reason is because if he had brought his glory and wealth, moths and vermin would have destroyed them, and thieves would have a field day to break in and steal. Should you bring your valuables to a place where thieves are thriving?
Therefore, a place where believers should get rich should not be this earth, but the kingdom of heaven. In order for people to be rich in heaven, Christ came to this world. Although he created this world, it has now been ruled by Satan (Luke 4:5). Christ has not conquered the world yet. It will be in the future (Revelation 11:15) Therefore, the place that is still ruled by Satan should not be a place to get wealthy. Paul prayed for believers to see this, saying, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength" (Ephesians 1:1-19)
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14) The "water" Jesus talked about here is the things of this world. Worldly things cannot quench the thirst of the spirit in you. The more you drink, the more you want. It is like drinking salt water. If you drink the water given by Christ, you will be free from thirst forever.
What, then, is the water that Jesus gives? " On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:37-39) The water that Christ gives is the Holy Spirit. Only when a person receives the Holy Spirit can their thirst be quenched. Do you want to get your thirst be quenched forever? To do so, you need to receive the Holy Spirit. You can accept the Holy Spirit by inviting him in your prayer.
In conclusion
These are only some of the reasons why Jesus came into the world. If you dig further you will discover more. May you be blessed reading this compilation. These should be shared at Christmas time. Only then can everyone appreciate what Jesus has done, and reap all the benefits intended for their physical and spiritual lives.
