Phrases like, "I came that..." or "I was sent to..." or "for this purpose I..." will help us see what that is. Below are listed ten statements the Lord made about his purpose for coming to earth. (Parallel statements from the synoptic gospels are included in the parentheses.)
1) To fulfill the Law and Prophets: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them." (Matthew 5:17*)
2) To proclaim the good news of the kingdom: "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for
this purpose." (Luke 4:43; cf. Mark 1:38)
3) To bring division and a sword: "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34-35; cf. Luke 12:49-53)
4) To call sinners to himself: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17; cf. Matthew 9:13; Luke 5:32)
5) To do the will of his Father: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38)
6) To serve and give his life a ransom: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45; cf. Matt 20:28)
7) To bring abundant life: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
8) To seek and save the lost: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)
9) To glorify his Father -- and be glorified -- by his death which bears much fruit: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ... But for this purpose I have
come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." (John 12:23-28)
10) To bear witness to the truth: "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37)
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*Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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