Why did Jesus come to earth? At Christmas, we often say that Jesus was born to die. When Easter comes, we say that Jesus became our substitutionary atonement, or what sometimes in theological study is called vicarious atonement.
Scripture lists many reasons Jesus came, some direct and some implied. One of Jesus’ primary missions in coming to earth was to reveal the heavenly Father.
One of God’s primary characteristics Jesus chose to reveal is love. Jesus revealed that God is of love. Love originates with God and Jesus proclaims that God is love. At the very essence of God, there is love.
Jesus also reveals that God’s love is manifested toward us. How was God’s love manifested toward us? God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, into this world so we might live through Him. In this love, God sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation refers to the redirection of God’s wrath by providing a substitute.
Jesus also reveals in John 3:16 and 1 John 4:9 that the Father gives life. God is just; God does not sweep our sins under the rug. He feels a holy wrath against sin. Sin deserves to be punished, and God has made this clear in Romans 6:23: “The wage of sin is death.”
God declared through the prophet in Ezekiel 18:4 that “the soul who sins shall die.” There is a holy curse hanging over all sin and not punishing sin would be unjust. God provides the substitute because He loves His creation. Jesus did not cancel God’s wrath; Jesus absorbed and diverted God’s wrath from us to Himself.
God’s wrath is just, and it was spent, not withdrawn. If you are in Christ, God’s wrath is not on you. God’s judgment is not on you; don’t let anyone tell you differently. Jesus came to take what you deserve and, in so doing, gave you life and qualified you for something extraordinary.
Jesus qualified you to receive what He deserves. Romans 5:6-11 states that Christ died for the ungodly when we were without strength. God demonstrates His love toward us in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Now, having been justified by Jesus’ blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Christ. For we were enemies of God, but now we are reconciled to God through the death of His dear son, and much more; having been reconciled, His life shall save us, and not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Reconciliation is the central theme of Calvary. The sin curse was removed, and the repentant were brought back into unity with God. Reconciliation removes hostility between God and humanity. Now, you can enjoy God’s boundless love for you.
You can live knowing that you never need to fear that God is waiting for you to mess up so He can withdraw His love. So, now, live in the fullness of life Jesus has given you.
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