Ever wonder why Jesus came to earth? Read on to discover the 15 reasons that the Scriptures reveal.
Contents
1 Jesus came to earth to save sinners
John 1:9–13
The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
2 Jesus came to earth to fulfill the law and the prophets
Matthew 5:17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
3 To fulfill the Scriptures
Luke 24:44
He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
Matthew 5:17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
4 To accomplish the Father’s will
John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Read more: Jesus came to do the will of the Father
5 To seek and save the lost
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 15:3-7
He told them this parable. “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
Read more: Jesus came to seek and save the lost
6 To destroy the works of the devil
1 John 3:8
To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Hebrews 2:14-15
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Read more: Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil
7 To serve
Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45
even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke 22:24-27
A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
8 To set the captives free
Luke 4:17-19
The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,[a]
to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are crushed,
and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
9 To preach the good news
Luke 4:43
But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”
10 To bear witness to the truth
John 18:37
Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
11 To divide with the truth
Luke 2:34–35
and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 12:51–53
Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Matthew 10:34-35
“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
12 To call sinners to repentance
Luke 5:31–32
Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
13 To bring light for believers
John 12:46
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
14 To give eternal life
John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
15 And finally, to make all things new
Revelation 21:3–5
I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”
He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”