Why did Jesus come?
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-13 We read two interesting accounts of the birth of Jesus today. His birth is a fascinating story. He was born in the most unlikely place; a manger. God was not teaching us a lesson on humility, He was passing a message across to us about the identity of the heavenly visitor. It was a statement of intent and purpose. First some observations: 1. Divine arrangement. We see how God orchestrated the movement of Mary and Joseph who lived in Galilee to Bethlehem for the tax census. But it was really a move of God to fulfil prophecy. GOD decides which way to bring His plan to pass.
Never fret when things you don’t understand are happening. God is in control.
God arranged for his Son to be born in a manger. Manager in a manger! The Shepherd in the sheep house! The perfect Lamb in the lamb house! The Saviour in a stable! What a story!
2. Divine Provision: material and human. Divine connection. In Matthew 2:1-2, God sent a group of distinguished foreigners; wise men from the East guided by a special star to bring gifts to Jesus. You have a testimony in the firmament that you know very little about. Your star will be activated to guide people to you, in Jesus name.
God funds every destiny he ordains. He is a master Provider. God will connect you supernaturally to your destiny helpers! God will provide everything you need, in Jesus name!
3. Demonic Opposition. A powerful vision generates a powerful opposition.
Your vision will always generate a lot of resentment among some people especially when it is big.
So why did He come?
1. To preach the Kingdom of God. Luke 4:43
2. To redeem mankind by paying the price for our sins.
He came to reconcile mankind to his Maker. 2Corinthians 5:18
3. To have a body. To have flesh and blood and be legitimate as a man on earth so He could make atonement for our sin and save us. 4. To Show Us Who We Are. 5. To give us a ministry. He came to reconcile mankind to his Maker. 2Corinthians 5:18-19, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
God did not commit the continuation of the work of reconciliation to angels, but again to humans. We are the ones that have the right to intercede for the human race. We are the ones ordained to replenish the earth. We are the ones ordained to multiply and fill the earth with our kind. Failure to do so is damaging to the entire work of redemption. Our Message The Bible is clear on this. Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” After His death and resurrection, we are to continue to carry on the work of preaching repentance and reconciliation in His name. Reconciliation follows repentance.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance means penitence: being sorry for one’s misdeeds. It means change of mind or perspective. You used to see sin and life from the perspective of the world, now you see it from the perspective of God. Now you realise how horrible sin is and how dangerous the consequences are. Now you see how far estranged from God you are. The best illustration of repentance in the Bible is the prodigal son recorded in Luke 15:11-20
1. He collected his inheritance and went away. He spent it on partying, drinking and prostitutes until he became destitute. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” We have all gone astray and must return to avoid tragedy.
2. He came to himself. He realised he was wrong. This is repentance.
3. He decided to return. For repentance to be complete, a different course of action must be chosen.
4. He acted on his decision and returned home to his father.
5. His gracious father threw a lavish party for him to the annoyance of his elder brother.
He returned home and was reconciled with his father who opened his arms to welcome him and threw a party for him. The father celebrated his return. God is waiting with open arms to welcome every sinner who returns to Him. The Bible says in Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth...”
This is what church people must understand; God loves the sinner but hates his sin. We must stop hating sinners if we are going to be used by God to get them back. God sent His Son to save the world.
MESSAGES TO FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
Traditionally, millions and billions of people send fancy cards and good will messages and gifts to loved ones. But Jesus came as a gift to the LOST ones. He came with a message for lost ones. How many lost ones will hear from you this Christmas season?
No other message could ever be as important as that of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross! The Good News of God’s Salvation for confused, bewildered and deceived mankind, is the ultimate of message and most sublime of all truths! The Bible tells us to “shout it from the housetops”, which translates: “Let everyone know”. (Matthew 10:27)
DON’T HIDE YOUR LIGHT OR COVER IT UP BUT LET IT SHINE! LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT JESUS LIVES ON THE INSIDE! LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT JESUS IS ALIVE AND WILLING TO DELIVER THEM FROM EVERY SIN, TORMENT, OPPRESSION AND FEAR!
Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) The word gospel means the ‘good news’. The Good News is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10) The Good News is that “Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved”, (Acts 1:21) and that Jesus invites: “Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28)
This statement of Jesus is very good news: “Him that cometh to Me I shall in no wise cast out”. (John 6:37) NO OTHER MESSAGE IS AS URGENT! The Bible says, “The king’s business requires haste” (1Samuel 21:8) and Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelations 19:16)
We have tracts and testimony manuals, use them to witness to people. It is the command of our Lord.
Merry Christmas!!