Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

The Purposes of God in Christ

To begin our quest into the mind and heart of God with regard to Jesus the Christ, we must first understand God's purposes in sending his Son to earth. His decision did not proceed from a vacuum. He considered it from the beginning of time. His prophets had spoken in many places concerning his promises of a messiah. But why this great focus on a coming messiah? What was he going to do when he came? What were God's purposes in sending himself as a man? The principal answers to these questions are found in the prophetic word of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, before either John or Jesus were born. The definitive text is from Luke and reads as follows:

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."

Luke 1:67–75 (NKJV)

Let's unpack this prophecy and look at the five main reasons God sent the Messiah, his only begotten Son, to man. As the light of understanding dawns in these areas, so will our love for the Father and the Son grow deeper.

* * *

Visit Mankind

From the above prophesy, we see that the first purpose of God in sending his Son was to personally visit his creation. This was a huge event for mankind. God had not visited earth to live with his people in person since the garden of Eden. In fact, man's sin had so separated him from God (Isaiah 59:2) that God was not willing to speak with him except on specific occasions through his chosen people, and even then only for specific guidance or prophetic reasons. And those theophanies were rare and generally of very short duration. This time he came personally for very specific purposes and remained in man's presence for thirty-three years. It was unique in the history of God's dealings with man. It was the one and only time in history that God's Spirit hovered over a virgin to supernaturally impregnate her with his Son, Immanuel — God with us — as prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah.

But why did he manifest himself in this way and not to another "Moses" on a mount engulfed in lightning and thunder, for example? Why didn't he come by an earthquake and smoke and fire as he had done for the Israelites in the wilderness on Mount Sinai? Undoubtedly it was because the Jews knew that history, and the results had not been what either God or they had hoped. The people had repeatedly rebelled against his commandments. Again and again they had returned to idols, astrologers, sorcerers, witches, mediums, and the like. The priests had desecrated the sanctuary and prophesied for reward (Zephaniah 3:4; Micah 3:11–12). People had sacrificed their children to Molech in the fire (Leviticus 20:1–4; 2 Kings 23:1–20, esp. 10). There was no fear of God, there was no integrity, and there was no conformity to the statutes and ordinances that God had given for instruction in righteousness. The people whom God had personally chosen to bless, protect, and exemplify godly government and living on earth had failed their mission and brought reproach and scorn on God.

To Clean House

Because of all these provocations, unmet covenant terms, and unheeded prophetic warnings, God kept his promise and brought the curses of his covenant (Deuteronomy 28:15ff.) upon the tribes of Israel and destroyed or scattered to the winds all but a remnant. The remaining tribes, especially Judah, had not fared much better. And the remnant that remained at the time that the Romans conquered Jerusalem was divided into various sects. Their excesses are portrayed in Matthew 23. It was time for God to intervene personally in history to remove the dross that had accumulated in the writings and actions of his people over the previous millennia. Things were not well with his people at this time, and it was clear that the rest of the world was not going to respect or follow the God of Israel, the creator of the heavens and the earth, if things did not change.

To Fulfill Prophesy

A second and very simple reason for his personal visit was that he had promised it. Over and over again, details of his visit as the Messiah had been prophesied in the scriptures. There are actually hundreds of such prophesies in the Old Testament — everything from his being born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) to his triumphal entry (Zechariah 9:9) and his crucifixion (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22:12–18). And God is faithful in keeping all of his promises, big and small. None of his words falls to the ground. Every detail of Christ's appearance was carefully planned and executed so that even his promise to come out of Egypt was fulfilled (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:13–15, 19–21). Consequently, it was imperative that at some point in history he come and fulfill the prophecies of his servants. About 4 BC to AD 29 was that appointed time.

To Reveal Himself

The third reason for a personal visit was to show mankind the character, humility, love, and power of God who created the universe. He showed the first three of these in the way he dealt with various types and conditions of people in the gospels. He showed the latter in his signs and wonders, which he used to confirm both his word and his power over creation and natural law. Since he was the original means of creation of the universe, this should come as no surprise to us, but rather as a confirmation of the scriptures' proclamation of his godhood and of his creative hand on earth since the very beginning. Note the following:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1–3, 14 (NKJV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.

Colossians 1:15–19 (NKJV)

Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.

Hebrews 1:2 (NKJV)

And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:9 (NKJV)

And because he is the creator of the world and the author of all life on earth, one might expect him to have come as a king or a CEO traveling in great style and riches, sleeping in five-star hotels, hobnobbing with the rich and famous and powerful. He certainly had the right to do so, but he did none of these things.

The fact that this almighty creator God decided to enter the arena of mankind through a virgin espoused to a carpenter is a mighty act of humility. That he chose to have a body that Isaiah 53 indicates was quite average — no form or comeliness, no beauty that we should desire him — again indicates his humility and his desire to mix with mankind as an ordinary man. Even his profession as a carpenter was not considered extraordinary in that day. The advantage to God for coming this way is that no one could later complain this to him: "You don't understand. You never had the problems that I had. You were never poor, hungry, or oppressed. You never had to work hard for a living or take responsibility for a family. You never had my temptations," etc.

But the truth is no one can make these allegations because Jesus experienced all of these things. The Bible says that he was tempted in every way that we were yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). It further asserts that he worked for a living; that he experienced poverty, hunger, and oppression; and that Jesus quite likely did know the issues of heading a family since there is no reference to his stepfather, Joseph, after age twelve. Precisely because he did experience all these things God established him as mankind's good, merciful, wise, loving, and understanding judge (cf. John 5:22, 30).

To Restore Theocratic Government

A fourth major reason for his visiting his people in person was to restore the theocracy. When God established his first covenant with Israel on Mount Sinai, he was to be their king. Israel had no king during the times of the judges. It was understood that God was their king and that the judges were simply the administrative heads of the people operating under his direction. At the time of Samuel, however, the people cried out for an earthly king like all the other nations had. When they did so, God made a very pointed comment to Samuel: "And the LORD said to Samuel, 'Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.'" (1 Samuel 8:7, NKJV)

Therefore, from the time of Saul, the first king of Israel, until the time of the Babylonian captivity, they had various human kings. By the time of Jesus's birth, what remained of national Israel had no king at all. In fact, it was a small "nation" under the dominion of the Roman Empire. The administrative and religious leadership of the people was vested largely in the Sanhedrin and the high priests. It was at this time that God chose to enter human history to restore his theocracy.

John the Baptist was the first to announce this fact: "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2, KJV). Jesus confirmed this statement with his first recorded words in the Gospel of Mark: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15, NKJV).

To further emphasize the importance and significance of these statements, Jesus proclaimed that the very reason that he had been sent to mankind was to preach the kingdom of God! (Luke 4:43) If you've ever wondered about what Jesus preached besides the Sermon on the Mount, you should note that the Word records the following:

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.

Luke 8:1 (NKJV)

It's also instructive to note parenthetically that during the mentoring stage of his disciples, he sent them out do the same:

Then he called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:1–2 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:60 (NKJV)

But people were confused, especially the scribes and the Pharisees. They looked at Jesus and saw a very ordinary man. He had no political connections. He had no military connections. He didn't even socialize with the religious leaders of his time. How could this be the Messiah? How could this be the one God who would free the people from the Roman Empire and set up the earthly kingdom that the Jews expected? They could not understand his teachings. They did not like his bluntness and frankness. They smarted at his rebukes. They marveled at his miracles, his love for the poor, and his motley followers. It just didn't make sense to them. Ultimately, in frustration and confusion, the scribes and the Pharisees demanded from Jesus when the kingdom of God would come!

Christ's answer to their demands was profound and deserves careful consideration. He said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20–21, NKJV).

To Israel, the greatest surprise of all was that their Messiah had never intended to set up an earthly kingdom as they expected. The kingdom that he came to establish was the kingdom that ruled in men's minds and hearts — not one which, through external laws, forced them into obedience. It was a revolutionary idea. It was a God idea. It was cross-cultural, it was cross-lingual, it was cross-racial, it was transnational, and it was the only kingdom that could bring unity of heart and spirit to a grossly divided and bellicose world. It was a pure stroke of genius, one which even many Christians do not understand today. Many believers think that the kingdom of God will only come at Christ's second coming. But this answer of Christ's clearly states that the kingdom of God is within us. It comes when we invite Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, into our heart. When he comes, the King resides there; and his kingdom is established. It is part of conversion as Paul confirms: "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our worldview changes, and we see everything differently. We are baptized (washed) and filled with God's Holy Spirit, and we receive at least one gift and all of the fruits of the Spirit. Christ becomes our King, our ruler, our Lord; and we acknowledge that we are sojourners here on earth and that our citizenship is in heaven with Christ. All others around the world who have similarly been converted are our brothers and sisters, a holy priesthood, the temple of the living God (1 Peter 2:5, 9; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

Truly it was the quintessential time to visit his people. He had so many things to do and to share during the visit. And every detail had been planned in advance. Jesus spoke nothing on his own authority, but only said and did what his Father bid him to say and do (John 6:16–18, 8:28–29, 12:49–50). He was obedient to the end, submitting to extreme fasting, the endurance of the temptations of the devil, verbal and physical abuse, and even death on the cross in order to fulfill his Father's will. His visit was the supreme act of love and humility. We really do love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

* * *

Redeem His People

The second specific reason that Zacharias prophetically gives for Christ's coming was to redeem his people. Redeem means "to buy back" or "release from bondage." The modern pawnshop provides a good illustration of redemption. When a person needs extra cash, he can take his watch or something of value to a pawnshop and exchange it for the cash he needs. When times get better, he can go to buy back the pawned item for the amount of money he received plus service and interest. When a person buys his pawned item back, it's called redeeming the item. In a similar fashion, when we sin, we pawn our lives to Satan. The problem for man is that he has no way of redeeming, or buying back, his life. It is too stained with sin, too cheap, and devalued. He has neither principle nor interest to satisfy Satan, the pawnshop owner. But because Jesus's life was sinless and perfect, it was like taking a flawless, fifty-carat ruby to buy back a sackful of cut glass! His life was valuable enough to pay for all sinners and to redeem us from the prison of Satan's pawnshop.

From the Bondage of Sin

In similar fashion, it was necessary that Christ should come to buy back his people from the prison that sin erected. Since every one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), all of us are or have been on death row. Sin separates us from God and places us in line for judgment. It's a sorry situation for all mankind; and since God is a just God, he has no alternative but to execute the penalty for sin. Satan, the accuser, who was judged by God for his rebellion in heaven (Revelation 12:7–9 and 20:10), would be incensed if God did not carry out justice equally and give us the righteous judgment we deserve too.

The problem was then, and is now, that God did not want to sentence everybody on earth to the death they deserved (2 Peter 3:9). He has never wanted this. He created man in his own image, and when he was finished with creation, he saw that all he had made was good. He even gave mankind authority on earth to manage and subdue his creation (Genesis 1:26–31). He understood man's potential and desired that man live up to his created capabilities and live in harmony and love with his fellows. Therefore it was necessary for him to come up with a plan that would both fulfill all righteousness and also supernaturally enable man to live a righteous life after his redemption.

---

Excerpted from "Perfection"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Richard P. Kuehn.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---