The fact that the coming of Messiah was prophesied for centuries. The fact that there was a flurry of angelic and further prophetic activity at Jesus’ birth… This means that the birth of Jesus was no accident – He was born in the plan of God and His life had meaning and purpose. Although born as a baby in a manger, he was… A Man on A Mission. But what was this mission?
Today I’d like to highlight five reasons why Christ came!
Firstly, He came to bring…
Revelation
Although the nation of Israel considered themselves God’s people, they did not really know God! They could not see the proverbial wood for the trees.
God had spoken many times and in various ways through the prophets, but what He said had fallen largely on deaf ears, so finally and more completely He spoke through His Son. Christ was the Word of God, the complete message…
“...the exact representation of his being...” (Heb1:3)
If you want to know what Father God is like, look at His Son. The saying “like father like son” holds true. As a result, Jesus was able to say to His disciples…
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (Joh 14:9)
A central theme in the teaching of Christ was the fatherhood of God. The children of Israel knew God as an awesome, holy being to be feared, so to address Him as Father was a totally foreign concept to them. However, Jesus taught them and us to pray saying “Our Father who art in heaven…”
In Christ, we see God’s attitude…
Attitude to sickness – heals
Attitude to bondage – breaks (e.g. woman bent double)
Attitude to poverty – abundant provision (e.g. miraculous catch of fish, feeding of 5000)
Attitude to suffering and need – compassion (e.g. He touched untouchable lepers)
Attitude to sin – forgiveness (e.g. He forgave the woman caught in the very act of adultery)
God is not a hard taskmaster as Israel thought – He is full of love and compassion. If you want to know what Father is like – look at Jesus – not at His appearance, but at His character. The apostle John said…
“We have seen his glory… full of grace and truth.” (Joh 1:14)
Secondly, Christ came to restore the relationship between man and God
Relationship
Jesus’ ministry prioritized people and hinged on relationships. He reached out to people commonly rejected – the poor, the unclean, the untouchable, and the reprehensible like prostitutes and tax collectors - E.g. Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and wanted to see him. Christ called him by name and gave him the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting over lunch
In the context of this encounter Jesus said…
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Lu 19:10)
Christmas saw the launching of God’s one-man search party. He understood that man had a problem relating to Him so God in Christ bridged the gap that kept them apart. The chasm between Flesh and Blood and Spirit. The chasm between the Mortal and Fallible and the Immortal and Infallible. The gulf between the Visible and the Invisible and the Sinful and the Holy.
Although created to be both physical and spiritual beings, humankind was locked in the physical realm. Like a TV without an antenna, we could not connect to the spiritual realm.
Jesus came to reconnect the aerial when we’d lost touch with heaven. Although we might not realize it, the most profound need of man is to be restored to fellowship with Father God. Jesus in His prayer to his Father said: Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (Joh 17:3)
What use is the next lungful of air if you are going to die anyway because you are cut off from the very source of life? It merely prolongs the agony!
Another dimension of Jesus’ mission was…
Redemption
“...He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners...” (Lu 4:18)
Not only to proclaim it but to pay for it.
“...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:28)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1Pe 1:18-19)
You see, something else is necessary. For a relationship to occur, you and I have to be free. We are imprisoned: captives of sin and Satan, of the fear of death and of an empty way of life. Do you feel as if you’re relating to God like a prisoner in a maximum security prison holding His hand through the bars? Christ came to snatch the keys from Satan, to unlock the gate and free you from your cell. You can’t escape without outside help – Jesus is that ‘outside help’ and wants to empty spiritual jails this Christmas. Don’t saw at the bars with your little hacksaw blade. Call on Jesus and He’ll smash those Satanic strongholds. He says through John the Revelator…
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Re 1:18)
Yet another dimension of Christ’s mission is…
Reconciliation
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you... (Col 1:21)
A state of war existed between man and God; for reconciliation to take place the problem had to be dealt with. The sin that severed the relationship had to be paid for. God sent His Son to be the “Peace Child.”
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
...he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isa 53:5)
May you be reconciled to God this Christmas. May you receive His peace as you embrace Christ the Prince of Peace!
Finally, the last facet I wish to mention of Christ’s multi-faceted ministry is
Regeneration
The degeneration of man’s nature can only be reversed by regeneration by God’s Spirit. Until the coming of Christ and the death of Christ on the Cross, no one could be born again. Godly people had a relationship with God and the Holy Spirit was with them but did not dwell in them. But, speaking about the Holy Spirit, Jesus promised his disciples…
“...he lives with you and will be in you.” (Joh 14:18)
After presenting His blood and being glorified, Jesus appeared to his disciples and breathed on them saying…
"Receive the Holy Spirit.” (Joh 20:21-22)
This is the first group of believers who were truly born again. Yes, in Christ, there is the possibility of a brand new life. So radical is the change it brings, that it’s described as being “born again”.
There is much Christ wants to accomplish in your life this Christmas:
o Revelation
o Relationship
o Redemption
o Reconciliation
o Regeneration
Open your heart to Him and allow Him to do His wonderful work!
Thanks for reading my blog. I wish you and yours a truly blessed, Christ-filled Christmas. Philip
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