We sing, “Why did my Savior come to earth?” The answer to that question is profound and powerful.
Jesus came to earth to save men from their sins. The angel told Joseph the child would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus said he came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Paul declared that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
The Savior also came into the world to fulfill the Father’s eternal purpose to redeem man (Ephesians 1:3-7). Peter said the Father planned before the foundation of the world to redeem man with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-20). Paul confirms that same truth (2 Timothy 1:9).
Our Lord came to earth to fulfill God’s promises to redeem man. God told the serpent that the seed of woman would deal him a mortal blow (Genesis 3:15). The Almighty promised Abraham that all the “families of the earth” would be blessed through his descendant (Genesis 12:3). The churches of Galatia were told, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed’” (Galatians 3:8).
Only those in the church can receive the blessings of God’s purpose and promise. It is in Christ that all men can be reconciled to him (Ephesians 2:16). May we all submit to Christ, our head, and invite God to fulfill his purpose and promise in our lives.
Gary C. Hampton