(Re)discovering the Purpose of Jesus’ Ministry

Overview

How often have you heard things like, “Jesus was a good teacher.” “God just wants you to be happy.” “Jesus came so we could have a good/better life.” “He came to teach us how to love one another.” “Live your best life now.” “He came to save us from ourselves.” “He came to get rid of suffering.” There are lots of opinions both in and outside the church about this. While statements like this contain some truth, they fall short. What other things have you heard?

During His earthly ministry, Jesus made some very clear statements about what was His purpose in coming. As believers, disciples and disciple-makers, if we are to carry out the Great Commission and continue His work, don’t you think we ought to be well acquainted and fully aligned with His mission and purpose?

Proclaim the Gospel

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” - Luke 4:18-21 NIV

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” - Mark 1:35-38 NIV

43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” - Luke 4:43 NIV

To Call Sinners to Repentance

32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Luke 5:32 NIV

To Seek and Save the Lost

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - Luke 19:9-10 NIV

38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” - John 6:38-40 NIV

To Save Us From God’s Judgment

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. - John 12:46-49 NIV

To Lay Down His Life So That We Could Have Eternal Live

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10 NIV 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” - John 10:14-18 NIV

To Proclaim to the Truth

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” - John 18:37 NIV

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6 NIV

To Fulfill the Requirements of the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. - Matthew 5:17 NIV

To Bring Glory to God

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. - John 17:1-5 NIV

For Discussion

  1. How do these verses challenge some common notions you’ve encountered about the nature of the Gospel?
  2. Which of these verses present a challenge to your personal understanding of the Gospel?
  3. What, in your mind, is noticeably missing from these passages in reference to Jesus’ purpose?
  4. How does this knowledge influence your understanding of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)?