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Chapter 11  Part II

The Messiah’s Purpose and Person

Sections

Arguably the fundamental assertion of the NT is that God sent the Messiah – Jesus Christ – into the world to save people from sin and its devastating consequences. For this mission, Jesus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit and became fully human – further assertions that are very significant to the Christian faith. In fulfilling the objectives of the mission, Jesus Christ lived a life which was faultless, with his character being both exemplary and inspiring. The following teaching shows the NT’s testimony to these crucial matters.

Jesus Christ’s Mission from God

God sent Jesus Christ into the world

[Jesus, to the Jews:] But I have a testimony greater than that from John. For the deeds that the Father has assigned me to complete – the deeds I am now doing – testify about me that the Father has sent me.   John 5:36 NET

God sent Jesus Christ to take away sins

You know that Christ came to take away sins.   1 John 3:5a CEV

God sent Jesus Christ to save the world

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.   John 3:17 NET

Jesus came to bring truth

[Jesus:] For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.   John 18:37b NET

Jesus came to enable us to know God

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ.   1 John 5:20a NET

Jesus Christ’s Humanity

Jesus Christ became a human being

By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, …   Romans 8:3b NET

God sent Jesus Christ “in a human body like ours” (NLT).

Jesus was born – after being conceived through the Holy Spirit

Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. … 22This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23“Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”   Matthew 1:18, 22-23 NET

Jesus was a descendant of David

Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach.   2 Timothy 2:8 GNT

Jesus’ humanity was vital to his mission to save people

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he [Jesus] likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. … 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.   Hebrews 2:14-15, 17-18 NET

Jesus needed to share in the humanity of God’s people and become like them so as to be identified with them, in a sense being one with them. As such he could die as a substitute and an offering for them. Partaking of their humanity would also be important for him in his ongoing role in helping God’s people, as indicated in v. 18 and possibly also in v. 17.

Jesus Christ’s Personality

See also:

• Jesus Christ’s Character

Jesus was loving

[Jesus, to his disciples:] Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love.   John 15:9 NET

Jesus was compassionate

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.   Matthew 9:36 NET

Jesus was gentle and humble

[Jesus:] Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   Matthew 11:29 NET

Jesus was righteous

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, …   1 Peter 3:18a ESV

Epilogue: God Works through Jesus Christ

See also:

• God made and sustains all things through Jesus Christ

God works in all eras through Jesus Christ, impacting all things everywhere

But now in these last days God has spoken to us through his Son. God has chosen his Son to own all things, and through him he made the world.   Hebrews 1:2 NCV™

Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.   Colossians 1:20 GNT

God fulfills his promises through Jesus Christ

For all God’s promises are “Yes” in him.   2 Corinthians 1:20a ISV

All God’s promises are confirmed or “fulfilled” (NLT) in Jesus Christ.

Pray for persecuted Christians