Why Christ Came

God sent Christ to redeem people and save human souls from eternal destruction. He gave revelations concerning Christ's coming and his humble beginning to some prophets of the Old Testament. Galatians 4:4,5 - When the fullness of time was come God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. The followings are discussed: The Timing of Christ's Coming; Purpose of Christ's Coming, and Benefits of Christ Coming.

Timing of Christ's Coming: God could have sent His son at any time of the old testament revelation, but He send him in the fullness of time, that is, the time suitable for His purpose (Galatians 4:4). The coming of Christ coincided with the time of modernisation of transportation and communication systems by the Roman Empire. It was the time Greek was widely adopted as the official language. The timing of Christ's coming wasn't haphazardly planned by God.

Christ's mission was to bring salvation to the world and release people from the bondage of law. Though the law reveals God's holy expectations, it can't make people righteous. Jesus stated that he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). God sent Jesus as the perfect representation of Himself to save mankind from guilt of breaking His law. Jesus is described as the true manifestation of the nature of God, the One that can make it possible for a person to see God (Hebrews 1:1-3).

The appropriate date of Christ birth was not recorded; he was born in a lowly place and his birth did not attract fanfare. The time of his birth seemed to be insignificant, but events that took place affirmed his birth place according to God's revelation (Luke 2: 1-7).

Purpose of Christ's Coming: He came to redeem those under the Law. The Law cannot save people or purify their hearts from effects of sin. Christ was offered as a sacrifice of people's deliverance from sin and its consequences (Galatians 4:5). Therefore believers are given the freedom to be members of God's family through Christ's sacrifice. God promised to meet needs of those who are in Christ (Philippians 4:9).

Christ came to establish the eternal kingdom of God. He was revealed to Prophet Isaiah as the Wonderful, Counselor, mighty God, The everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). All these attributes describe the eternal nature of Christ and lasting peace of reigning with him. Before he was born Mary received the revelation that he would not be ordinary Child, but the son of God, "Son of the Highest" (Luke 1:32&33).

Christ came to defeat Satan. It was foretold that Christ would become the seed of woman, and his mission would be to destroy works of the devil. The devil would bruise Christ's heel, but Christ would bruise his head, thus defeating him and his purpose (Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14). While the final defeat of Satan is yet to come those who are in Christ can experience victory over him (James 4:17).

Benefits of Christ's Coming: Believers are redeemed and reconciled to God.
Those who are in Christ are accepted into the family of God and given the power to be His children (Galatians 4:6&7). Being made a child of God is not a licence to ignore His holiness and justice. He must be honoured always.

Our sins are forgiven if we are in Christ. This is one of the reasons for his sacrificial death. Our sins separated us from God and made it impossible to fellowship with Him, but through Christ we were brought back and made acceptable to Him (Hebrews 9:26-28). Christ is coming back to complete his redemptive work and establish his eternal kingdom. Lesson Texts: Gen 3:15; Isaiah 9:6&7; Luke 1:32&33; 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4-7; Heb 1:1-3; 9:26-28)