The purpose of Jesus’ coming
Many will be celebrating Christmas on December 25. I love this holiday. It is a time filled with family and friends.
Although Christmas (in a religious sense) is not a divinely given holiday, and only a tradition of man, I can appreciate that Jesus is on people’s minds. Despite the holiday not being found in the bible, the story of His birth is, and it is an awesome story of the Son of God coming in the flesh to live amongst us.
Something interesting about the story is the wise men. Although most “nativity scenes” depict three men coming to the manger of Jesus, they did not come until later and we do not know how many there were. But these scholars from the East followed a star to find the newborn King of the Jews. They journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, where the star stopped over the house of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, bowed down, worshiped Him, and presented three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Interesting gifts to give to a baby, aren’t they? Yet, these gifts carry meaning about the purpose of Jesus’ coming. Gold represented KINGSHIP. Frankincense represented DIETY and BURIAL. Myrrh was an embalming oil that represented DEATH.
Do you suppose these wise men knew something about Jesus’ purpose? Perhaps they knew prophecies like Psalm 22, Psalm 34, Isaiah 53, or others? I am not sure exactly what THEY knew, but do WE know the reason Jesus came?
Look at some things Jesus said about his purpose.
Jesus came to take away sin (1 John 3:5-6). “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” Notice “…in Him is no sin.”
In other words, Jesus never sinned. He was the perfect lamb of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 adds that Jesus became sin for us (what we are) so that we could become the righteousness of God (what He is). Notice: Jesus came to take away our sin. To show us the way to take away sin from our lives. Not just for the blessings of forgiveness but actually being set free from sin!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
This is not a popular Christmas perspective of Jesus. That baby in the manger was a great DESTROYER/CONQUEROR of Satan (Hebrews 2:14)! We see that in the prophecy of the seed of the woman bruising the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). We see this with the slain Lamb overcoming the dragon in Revelation 12:9-11. That is what Jesus came to do. To destroy Satan’s work; lies, deception, sin, and death. Yet, more personally, to destroy Satan’s control over you … And He did that at the cross.
Jesus came to bring light (John 12:44-50). “Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (Keep reading to vs. 50)
Jesus came as light into the world for the benefit of people in darkness so that they would not have to walk in the dark any longer. So, that we will have truth and clarity.
Jesus came so you could have life abundantly (John 10:10). “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Satan locked us up under sin. Thieves do things like that. Yet, Jesus did not come to destroy anyone but Satan and to give you life. Yet beware, you cannot have life abundantly if you are still following a defeated, tyrannical ruler who has a hold over you! If you are still there, it is voluntary. Jesus has overpowered and bound Him! (Mk 3:27). You can walk out of his house at any time! Jesus came to free you and so you could have life.
Jesus came to give His life for others (Matthew 20:24). Listen carefully to the words of Jesus, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
It seems these wise men understood something about this, but do we?
Visitors are welcome and valued. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville. Our phone number is (317) 219-5852. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!