Why did Jesus come?
Adoration of the Sheperds - Matthias Stomer circa 1650
Christmas is a time to marvel at the news that God has come in the form of a baby, born in a manger.
He has come into a world broken by our rebellion, on a mission. What is that mission?
Recently the emphasis has been on God’s mission to renew the whole creation. Salvation isn’t just getting people to heaven, salvation means political and economic justice, creation care, racial and gender equality.
It’s true, one day heaven and earth will be united, salvation is for the whole created order. We will not spend eternity as disembodied spirits. The world was created good. Jesus rose from the dead in bodily form as the first fruits of a world transformed.
Paul tells us the creation is groaning in labor pains awaiting redemption (Romans 8:28). Creation groans because humanity has turned its back on God and brought harm to the created order. The damage we’ve done is not Paul’s focus here. Creation has been subject to futility by God. A broken world is God’s judgment on human sin. Suffering, even innocent suffering, is the fruit of going our own way. It’s God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world (CS Lewis).
So when the angel of the Lord comes to Joseph he announced that Mary will give birth to a son and he is to be named Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). This is the heart of why Jesus came, and the meaning of Christmas.
Jesus came to save us from our sins. Embarrassing isn’t it? Not a message the world wants to hear. Much easier to talk in vague terms about changing the world rather than forgiveness of sins.
Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. He gave bread to the hungry, he healed sick bodies, he set the captives free. He announced the coming of God’s kingdom rule. But when they wanted the bread, but not the Bread of Life; when they wanted the healing but not the Healer; when they wanted the kingdom but not the King — he pronounced judgment and walked away (Matthew 11:23; John 6).
Jesus called everyone — the poor, the powerful, the rich, the outcast — to repent and put their faith in him. No communities were transformed, except into riots. No empires were overthrown. He promised his messengers trouble, not worldly power and success. But wherever the Word went the fruit was always disciples learning to follow and obey Jesus in communities. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. That’s why Jesus came.
God will renew the world, on the other side of his judgment. A broken world is an opportunity to demonstrate love to those in need, and a reminder that this world is not our home and that we have a job to do.
When Jesus rose from the dead he opened the minds of his failed disciples to understand the breadth of God’s mission in the Scriptures. He told them,
This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:45-49)
That’s why Jesus came. That’s the meaning of Christmas.
