Jesus Christ came to reveal God, to announce the coming of God's kingdom and to redeem a fallen humanity through his death on the cross. Though he came first to the Jews, the scope of Christ's mission includes the whole human race and continues through the Spirit-empowered witness of the church.
Jesus Christ's mission originated with God
It was purposed by God
1 Peter 1:18–20 See also Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:4–5
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
The Father sent the Son
Galatians 4:4–5 See also John 5:37–38, John 7:29, John 8:42, John 10:36, John 17:8; 1 John 4:14
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
Jesus Christ came in willing obedience to the Father
Jesus Christ's mission was motivated by God's love
John 3:16 See also Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus Christ's mission was to make God known
He reveals God in his own person
John 1:18 See also John 14:9, John 17:26; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1–3
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
He reveals God through his teaching
John 18:37 See also Matthew 7:28–29; John 3:11–13
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
Jesus Christ's mission was to announce God's kingdom
Luke 4:43 See also Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 12:28 parallel Luke 11:20 Jesus Christ's miracles reveal the presence of God's kingdom.
But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”
Jesus Christ's mission was to redeem humanity
He came to seek and save the lost
Luke 19:10 See also Luke 15:1–10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
He came to save from sin
Matthew 1:21 See also Romans 3:25–26; 1 Timothy 1:15
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
He came to break the devil's power
1 John 3:8 See also Genesis 3:15; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14–15
The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
He came to bring eternal life
John 10:10 See also John 6:38–40, John 17:2–3
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.
He came to give access to God
Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:19–20
He came to restore a fallen humanity
Romans 5:17–18; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
Jesus Christ's mission was to establish the church
Matthew 16:18 See also Ephesians 2:17–19, Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Peter 2:4–5, 1 Peter 2:9–10
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
The scope of Jesus Christ's mission
Jesus Christ came first to Israel
Matthew 10:5–6, Matthew 15:24; John 1:11
Jesus Christ's mission extends to all peoples
Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 8:11; John 10:16; Matthew 8:10 parallel Luke 7:9 Jesus Christ commends the faith of a Roman centurion; Matthew 15:28 parallel Mark 7:29 Jesus Christ grants the request of a Canaanite woman; Acts 1:8 Jesus Christ sends his disciples out into the whole world; Acts 26:17–18 Paul's commission to go to the Gentiles is received directly from Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ's mission made the cross necessary
Matthew 20:28 parallel Mark 10:45 See also Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22; Luke 12:50; Colossians 2:14–15; Hebrews 12:2
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus Christ's mission will be completed at his return
1 John 3:2 See also Matthew 24:31 parallel Mark 13:27; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
Jesus Christ's mission continues through the church
John 20:21–22 See also Matthew 28:18–20; John 15:26–27
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.