JESUS’ PURPOSE OF INCARNATION
God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, into the world with a divine and eternal purpose. The incarnation of Jesus was not an arbitrary event but a pivotal moment in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus came to redeem the world and to restore the broken covenantal relationship between God and His people. From the very beginning, God revealed the coming and mission of the Messiah. This revelation started with Adam and continued through the prophets, culminating in the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Lk 1:32-33).
Unlike other leaders in Israel, such as priests, prophets, and kings, who realized their roles after being chosen by God during their lifetimes, Jesus’ mission was established before His birth. His purpose was deeply rooted in the Scriptures and foretold by the prophets. Jesus Himself affirmed this mission when He read from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4:18-19; cf. Isa 61:1-2; 58:6).
The Mission of Jesus
The mission of Jesus was multi-faceted, encompassing both spiritual and physical restoration. His primary goal was to preach the gospel and prepare the people for the new kingdom of God, which He would inaugurate through His death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This new kingdom was not of this world but a spiritual reign where God’s love, justice, and peace prevail.
In addition to preaching the gospel, Jesus demonstrated God’s compassion and power through acts of mercy. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. These miracles were not merely displays of divine power but tangible expressions of God’s love and evidence of the coming kingdom. They were signs pointing to the ultimate healing and restoration that Jesus would accomplish through His sacrifice on the cross.
However, the prominent leaders and many in the public misunderstood Jesus’ ministry. They expected a political Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression and restore the earthly kingdom of Israel. Instead, Jesus came to address the deeper issue of sin and separation from God. He came to establish a kingdom that transcends earthly powers, a kingdom where righteousness and peace reign.
REFLECTION
Christians must comprehend the importance of Jesus’ coming to earth. It reminds us that our faith is rooted in God’s redemptive plan and that our mission aligns with Jesus’ mission. Just as Jesus proclaimed the good news and demonstrated God’s love through acts of mercy, we are called to do the same. Our primary goal should be to share the gospel, bringing the message of salvation to all people. In doing so, we must also show God’s love through compassionate actions, helping those in need and alleviating suffering wherever we can.
However, we must remember that acts of mercy should always be accompanied by the proclamation of the gospel. Meeting physical needs is important, but it is the message of Jesus that brings eternal life. As Jesus gave His listeners the freedom to accept or reject His message, we must also respect people’s responses, knowing that our role is to faithfully share the gospel and trust God with the results.
In our daily lives, let us embody the purpose of Jesus’ incarnation by being ambassadors of His kingdom. Let us proclaim the good news, live out the love and compassion of Christ, and seek to bring others into the saving knowledge of Jesus. As we do so, we fulfill our part in God’s redemptive plan, bringing glory to His name and advancing His kingdom on earth. May we always be mindful of Jesus’ purpose and mission, and may our lives reflect His love, grace, and truth in all that we do.