Why Jesus Came

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.—1 Corinthians 15:3,4

Michael Brann

It has been nearly two thousand years since the First Advent of Jesus Christ upon the earth. In our day, Christians look for his promised return, that is, his Second Advent. However, without a proper understanding of the objective or purpose of the First Advent there would be much confusion and misunderstanding regarding the manner and purpose of the Second Advent. The reverse is likewise true, i.e., once a clear understanding regarding the First Advent is reached, the manner and purpose of his Second Advent is more readily understood. Even though the first advent took place long ago and countless books have been written on the topic, still there appears to be widespread confusion and error in the minds of many regarding its purpose. Let us examine this most sublime topic—the object or purpose of the First Advent of Jesus Christ.

Although there is one predominant theme regarding the purpose of Jesus’ first advent, there are also some subthemes associated with it.

Testimony from the Bible

Jesus’ first advent was itself a fulfillment of certain prophecies found in the Old Testament. They tell of his virgin birth, its time and circumstances, his genealogy, his character, his ministry, his rejection, his betrayal by Judas, his suffering, his death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and finally, of his everlasting dominion.

Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17,18) Therefore, one could say that Jesus came because it was prophesied in advance that he would do so. But that does not really give us the purpose.

Jesus’ own words leave no doubt as to the main objective of his first advent. Just prior to his death in the garden of Gethsemane, he said: "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." (John 12:27) Jesus states that his purpose was to die!

Why did he come here to die? Because he himself was free from sin, for whom did he die?

The Redemption of the Human Race

The Scriptures clearly teach that father Adam was created in the image and likeness ofGod, without sin and capable of living forever (Genesis 1:26–31; 2:15–17). Once he sinned, he plunged not only himself, but the whole human race which sprang from him, into the condition of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12–19). The Scriptures also teach that there is, therefore, a need for the redemption of the human family if it is to have a relationship with God (Romans 3:10,23–25). What an awful predicament! Who could be the Savior of the race? Could one bornin a sinful and imperfect condition redeem hisfellow man? The psalmist says: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (Psalm 49:7)

How sad the human condition if the story had ended there. Every man, woman and child would be either dead or dying with no hope for a return to the Edenic paradise condition which father Adam enjoyed for a brief time. We thank God for the "unspeakable gift" which he has given to solve the tragic dilemma, the gift of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ!

Thus the chief purpose of Jesus’ first advent was to be a ransom (Greek: lutron, meaning "a means of loosing") for Adam and his posterity. The "means of loosing" was obtained by giving his life for the life lost. Thus since a perfect man (Adam) had by disobedience forfeited his life and the lives of all the human race still in his loins, a perfect man (the man Christ Jesus) redeemed the race by giving his perfect life as an exact equivalent. (See 1Corinthians 15:16–22; Romans 5:12–19; 1 Timothy 2:3–6.)

Jesus’ own words support this primary objective: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."—John 3:16,17

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."—Matthew 18:11

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom [Greek: lutron] for many."—Matthew 20:28

The great apostle Paul also adds his testimony: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (1Timothy 1:15)

In the next chapter he states: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom [Greek: antilutron, "that which is given in exchange for another as the redemption price"] for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:3–6)

It is therefore conclusive that the purpose of Jesus’ first coming 2000 years ago was to redeem or ransom the world of mankind by giving his own flesh and blood, his perfect life.

Redemption for Israel

One subtheme of the main objective of Jesus’ first advent centers on God’s chosen people Israel. The apostle Paul states: "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4,5) Here we are told that Jesus was born a Jew and "under the law" so he could redeem the Jewish race, Israel. The Jewish nation was not only under the Adamic curse, it was also under the "curse of the law." (Galatians 3:10–13) However, Jesus as a Jew was under the same obligations as the others of that race. He was not only a perfect man as was Adam and thus able to redeem all of Adam’s posterity, he also was a perfect keeper of the laws of Israel, and thus able to redeem all of that posterity too. Therefore, the apostle states that Jesus came to redeem those under the law.

The Call of the Church

Another subtheme associated with the objective of Jesus’ first advent concerns another class among mankind: the Church, the Bride of Christ. One passage of Scripture that has puzzled many students of the Bible is found in Luke: "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."—Luke 12:49–53

This passage has caused such confusion because the purpose of Jesus’ first advent is misunderstood. Jesus said that he did not come the first time to bring peace on earth, but fire, trouble, separation and division. He separated those who truly loved him and desired to follow him from those who had no real interest in doing so. Jesus knew that this kind of test would cause trouble, even within the same family.

Jesus made another statement regarding the mission of his first advent: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) Jesus suggests two classes: one with life, another with "abundant" life. Those who will attain "life" would include all who finally attain life on the earth, resulting from the ransom and restitution provided by Jesus Christ. Those who attain "life abundant" would be those who become participants in the Lord’s grace and sacrifice their lives now, renouncing their own wills and accepting his will. These shall be his heavenly bride and receive life and immortality, the divine nature.

Once we have a clear understanding of the first advent, we can rejoice in the loving kindness of the Lord thus far bestowed upon us, and joyfully anticipate the blessings which await all humanity in the near future.