10 Reasons Why Jesus Came To Earth

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the long-awaited Messiah and savior of humanity. But why exactly did Jesus come to earth? If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Jesus came to earth to reveal God’s love, forgive sins, give us eternal life, set an example for living, and establish God’s kingdom.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore 10 key reasons why Jesus left the glories of heaven to be born in humble circumstances over 2,000 years ago. We will look at Bible verses that help highlight each aspect of Christ’s mission and purpose during his earthly ministry.

To Reveal the Love of God

Jesus came to earth to reveal the unconditional love that God has for humanity. Though we had all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23), God loved us so much that He was willing to send His only Son to die on our behalf so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to Him (John 3:16).

Here are some key ways that Jesus revealed God’s amazing love during His time on earth:

He welcomed and embraced those rejected by society

During Jesus’ ministry, He intentionally spent time with those who were looked down upon and rejected by the religious elite – people like tax collectors, prostitutes, and other “sinners.” His willingness to love unconditionally and not judge people by outward appearances revealed God’s heart of compassion and mercy.

As Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

He healed people’s diseases and forgave their sins

Jesus performed many miracles of physical and spiritual healing during His time on earth. He healed the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed; He cast out demons and forgave people’s sins. These actions demonstrated that God cares deeply about both our physical and spiritual well-being.

As Matthew 9:36 says about Jesus, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” His miracles were tangible displays of God’s kindness and desire to alleviate human suffering.

He sacrificed Himself on the cross for our salvation

The pinnacle of God’s love was shown through Jesus willingly sacrificing Himself and dying on the cross to atone for our sins (Romans 5:8). He took the punishment that we deserved so that those who put their faith in Him could be saved from sin and death and reconciled to God.

There is no greater love than giving one’s life for another (John 15:13). Jesus said that He came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

He offered salvation to everyone who believes in Him

Before Jesus came, the way to God was limited to the Jewish people through the Mosaic law. But Jesus made salvation available to anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or social status, who puts their faith in Him.

As John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

All are invited into God’s family through faith in Christ.

The life and ministry of Jesus perfectly demonstrated the depths of God’s love and gave us the pattern for how to love one another. As 1 John 4:10-11 says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Understanding the love of God as shown through Christ can transform our relationships and empower us to reflect His selfless love to the world around us.

To Forgive Sins

One of the main reasons Jesus came to earth was to provide forgiveness of sins. As the Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven.

Humanity’s sin separates us from God and leads to spiritual death. But by dying on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we could be reconciled to God. As Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Why We Needed Forgiveness

We all fall short of God’s perfect standard because of our sinful nature (Romans 3:23). Our sins demand justice and a penalty. But Jesus lovingly took that punishment on himself by dying in our place. Now through faith in Christ, we can receive total forgiveness and a restored relationship with God.

Without Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, we would be left hopeless and dead in our sins. We could never make up for all the wrongs we’ve done through our own efforts. But thankfully, “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The Blessings of Forgiveness

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, trusting in his death that paid for our sins, we experience incredible blessings, including:

• Justification – We are declared righteous before God, as though we have never sinned.
• Redemption – We are purchased and set free from bondage to sin.
• Reconciliation – Our relationship with God is restored.
• Cleansing – We are purified from all unrighteousness.
• Renewal – We get a fresh start to live a transformed, holy life.

Living in this state of forgiveness is liberating. We no longer need to hide from God in shame over our failures. The slate has been wiped clean! “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). We can walk in freedom and joyful fellowship with God.

The Invitation to Receive Forgiveness

God offers this gift of forgiveness to every one of us. All we need to do is humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and put our complete trust in Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

We simply need to call out to Jesus with a repentant heart, asking him to come into our lives as Lord and Savior. The Bible promises that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness and eternal life with God (John 3:36). What an incredibly merciful gift from a loving Father!

To Give Eternal Life

Jesus came to earth with an incredibly important mission – to provide humanity with the gift of eternal life. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for people to be reconciled to God and spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Here are 10 key reasons why Jesus came to give eternal life:

1. To Save Us from Sin

Sin separates us from God and leads to spiritual death (Romans 6:23). By dying on the cross, Jesus took on the punishment for our sins so that we could be forgiven (1 John 2:2). His sacrifice allows us to be cleansed from sin and reunited with God.

2. To Destroy the Works of the Devil

The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10). Through his death and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of Satan and delivered us from bondage to evil (Hebrews 2:14).

3. To Give Us Abundant Life

Jesus did not just come to give us existence after death. He came so we could have eternal life – a rich, meaningful, joyful life both now and forever (John 10:10). Having Jesus in our lives allows us to live life to the fullest.

4. To Reconcile Us to God

Sin separates us from God, who is holy and cannot tolerate sin. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross bridged the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). All who put their faith in Christ are reconciled to the Father and welcomed into His family.

5. To Give Us Confidence

Believers can have utmost confidence that death is not the end and we will spend eternity with God. This hope gives us courage and anchors us during the difficulties of life (1 Peter 1:3-5). We never have to fear death again.

6. To Set Us Free from Fear

The fear of death keeps people in bondage (Hebrews 2:15). Jesus came to deliver us from the fear of death and judgment. Because our sins are forgiven, we can approach God with boldness and freedom.

7. To Show Us God’s Love

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:14). Jesus demonstrated the depths of God’s love for us by giving his life on the cross. His sacrifice shows us we are deeply loved by God.

8. To Give Our Lives Meaning

Knowing Jesus gives our lives purpose and meaning. We are called to honor Him with our lives and advance His kingdom purposes in our spheres of influence. This brings significance to our brief time on earth.

9. To Make Us Children of God

All who receive Jesus become God’s children and are adopted into His family (John 1:12). We become heirs along with Jesus of God’s eternal blessings and inheritance.

10. To Give Us Eternal Rewards

Jesus promised us eternal rewards in heaven for faithfully following and serving Him on earth (Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:19-21). The treasures we store up in heaven far outweigh anything this world has to offer.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our eternal destiny. Because of Him, we can look forward to spending eternity in the glorious presence of God. Hallelujah! What an incredible gift!

To Set an Example for Living

Jesus came to earth not only to die for our sins, but also to set an example for how we should live. As the Son of God, Jesus demonstrated what a righteous, holy, and obedient life looks like in action. Here are some key ways Jesus set an example for living during His time on earth:

Jesus lived a life of obedience to God

Throughout His life, Jesus perfectly obeyed God the Father. He once said, “I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29). Though tempted in every way, Jesus did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). His unwavering obedience provides a model for us to follow as we submit to God’s will.

Jesus loved and served others

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). He demonstrated compassion by healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He washed His disciples’ feet to model servitude and humility (John 13). And He ultimately gave His life on the cross out of love for us.

We must follow Christ’s example by humbly serving others just as He did.

Jesus practiced effective spiritual disciplines

To maintain His connection with God and renew His soul, Jesus often practiced habits like solitude, prayer, fasting, and Scripture meditation: “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” (Mark 1:35).

Following Christ involves cultivating this same spiritual discipline and connection with the Father.

Jesus lived with integrity and courage

Jesus displayed integrity by living out His message and values before others, rather than being hypocritical. He demonstrated courage by boldly speaking truth in the face of opposition. When challenged or confronted by religious leaders, Jesus stood firm and defended His words and actions with grace and wisdom.

The honesty, integrity, and courage of Christ should inspire us to live in the same way.

In all His words and actions on earth, Jesus modeled what a spirit-filled life devoted to God looks like. As we seek to become more Christ-like, we must carefully examine the example that Jesus set for us and follow daily in His steps.

To Destroy the Works of Satan

Jesus came to earth with a clear mission – to destroy the works of Satan. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Satan has been at work since the beginning, when he tempted Adam and Eve and brought sin into the world (Genesis 3).

Ever since then, Satan has continued his evil works, seeking to deceive, tempt, accuse, and destroy. But Jesus came to put an end to all of that!

Here are 10 key reasons why Jesus came to destroy Satan’s works:

1. To break the power of sin – Sin gives Satan a foothold in our lives. Jesus broke sins’ power through His sacrifice on the cross.
2. To free people from spiritual blindness – Satan blinds people to the truth. Jesus came to open eyes and reveal the light of the gospel.
3. To release people from demonic oppression – Demonic forces torment people. Jesus set many people free from demons during His ministry.
4. To cancel Satan’s accusations – Satan is the accuser of God’s people. But Jesus is our advocate who silences the accuser.
5. To provide forgiveness from sins – Sin gives Satan leverage, but forgiveness in Christ sets people free from condemnation.
6. To reconcile us to God – Our sin separates us from God, but Jesus came to bring us back into relationship with God.
7. To destroy the fear of death – The fear of death is a form of bondage. Jesus sets us free through His victory over death.
8. To empower His church – Jesus gave authority to the church to continue destroying the devil’s works in His name.
9. To ultimately crush Satan – The Bible says Jesus will once and for all destroy Satan and his works in the age to come.
10. To restore God’s Kingdom – Jesus came to destroy the devil’s kingdom and restore God’s righteous rule over all creation.

Jesus went head-to-head against Satan during His earthly ministry. Whether it was His preaching, miracles, healings, or deliverances, Jesus was destroying the horrid works of the devil everywhere He went.

Ultimately, Christ defeated Satan once and for all through His death on the cross and powerful resurrection from the grave. One day Jesus will return to erase all remaining traces of evil in the world.

Until then, the church continues Jesus’ work of demolishing the devil’s schemes and advancing God’s Kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

To Fulfill Messianic Prophecy

Jesus came to earth to fulfill the many prophecies written about the Messiah hundreds of years before His birth. Here are 10 key prophecies that Jesus fulfilled:

1. Born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 states “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This was fulfilled when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-35).

2. Descendant of Abraham

Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:16 predict that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham. Jesus fulfilled this as a descendant of Abraham through both Mary and Joseph’s family lines (Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38).

3. Descendant of David

God promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and Isaiah 11:1-5. Jesus was born into the line of David (Matthew 1:1-17, Romans 1:3).

4. Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 states “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as recorded in Matthew 2:1.

5. Preceded by a messenger

Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 predict that a messenger would prepare the way for the Messiah. John the Baptist fulfilled this role as he preached repentance before Jesus began His ministry (Matthew 3:1-3).

6. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Zechariah 9:9 states “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey the week before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11).

7. Betrayed by a friend

The Messiah’s betrayal was foretold in Psalm 41:9, which was fulfilled when Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Matthew 10:4, 26:14-16).

8. Sold for 30 pieces of silver

Zechariah 11:12-13 gives the exact price the Messiah would be betrayed for – 30 pieces of silver. This was fulfilled when Judas accepted payment to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-15).

9. Hands and feet pierced

Psalm 22 graphically describes the Messiah’s crucifixion, including the piercing of his hands and feet. Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed to the cross (Luke 23:33, 24:39-40, John 20:25-27).

10. Resurrection from the dead

Psalm 16:10 and other passages foretell the resurrection of the Messiah after his death. Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion, appearing to many people over a 40 day period (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-53).

Jesus’ life fulfilled so many prophecies written centuries before His birth. His life, death and resurrection clearly confirm His identity as the Messiah and Savior of the world.

To Preach the Kingdom of God

Jesus came to earth with a central message – the good news of the kingdom of God. Throughout his ministry, he traveled extensively, preaching this message to the crowds that followed him. His teachings focused on explaining what the kingdom of God is and how people can enter it.

Here are some key reasons why preaching the kingdom of God was so central to Jesus’ mission:

1. It was the core message God gave him to proclaim. When Jesus began his ministry, he announced that the time was fulfilled and the kingdom of God was at hand (Mark 1:14-15). He was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about proclaiming good news to the poor and freedom to the captives (Luke 4:18-19).
2. It summed up his entire mission and purpose. Jesus was bringing a radical new order – God’s reign and rule being established on earth. All his miracles, healings, and deliverances displayed the power and blessings of the kingdom.
3. It meant the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. The Old Testament prophets had foretold the coming of God’s everlasting kingdom. Jesus proclaimed this long-awaited kingdom was now being established.
4. It showed people how they could be saved. Jesus taught that to enter the kingdom of God, one needed to repent of sins and believe the good news (Mark 1:14-15). Salvation was now available to all who surrendered their lives to the King.
5. It gave meaning to his sacrificial death. Jesus knew his path would ultimately lead to the cross. But this sacrifice would make salvation possible and pay the price for the kingdom to come in its fullness (Luke 22:20).
6. It looked ahead to the glorious future. Jesus spoke often of the kingdom’s mystery and greatness – a future day when God’s reign would be complete. He promised his followers an eternal place in this glorious kingdom.

In all his messages, Jesus emphasized that the kingdom of God had drawn near and people needed to respond. Repentance, faith, and obedience to the King were now essential. Through parables, moral lessons, and dramatic actions, Jesus painted a picture of a spiritual kingdom more powerful and enduring than anything on earth.

For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, his preaching on the kingdom invited them to abandon earthly pursuits and priorities and seek eternal treasures.

Jesus profoundly shaped human history through his kingdom preaching. He still transforms lives today when people understand his call to turn from sin and worldliness and wholeheartedly embrace him as King. The message of salvation and living under God’s reign remains the heart of the gospel.

To Bring Division

One of the most challenging aspects of Jesus’ ministry on earth was that His presence often created division and turmoil, rather than the peace and unity one might expect. Though Jesus preached a message of love, redemption, and salvation, His words and actions frequently had the unintended effect of bringing conflict and discord.

There are several reasons for this:

• Jesus directly confronted religious hypocrisy and self-righteousness. He rebuked the Pharisees for outward shows of piety that masked inward corruption and sin (Matthew 23). This earned Him the bitter enmity of powerful religious leaders.
• Jesus’ emphasis on loving God and loving one’s neighbor challenged traditional social barriers and hierarchies. His embrace of sinners, women, children, Samaritans, and Gentiles threatened the religious establishment and traditional concepts of ritual purity (Mark 7:1-23).
• Jesus’ kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36). His teachings placed allegiance to God above earthly politics, power, and possessions. This threatened both the Jewish leadership and the Roman occupation.
• Jesus made divisive and controversial claims, such as forgiving sins (Luke 5:20-24), divinity (John 10:30), being the only way of salvation (John 14:6), and authority to judge all humanity (Matthew 25:31-46). His disciples echoed these claims after His death.

To Serve

One of the primary reasons Jesus came to earth was to serve humanity. As the Son of God, Jesus left his heavenly throne and took on the form of a servant to meet humanity’s greatest needs (Philippians 2:5-7).

Throughout his ministry, Jesus exemplified what it means to humbly serve others with compassion.

A Role Model of Servanthood

Numerous stories in the Gospels portray Christ’s servant heart. He washed his disciples’ feet, demonstrating that no act of service is beneath him (John 13:1-17). He dined with outcasts and sinners, embracing those considered unworthy by religious elites (Luke 15:2).

He touched people considered ceremonially unclean, defending their dignity (Matthew 8:2-3). At every turn, Jesus modeled true servanthood by elevating the marginalized and meeting practical needs.

Moreover, Christ served people’s spiritual needs. He taught multitudes about God’s kingdom, offering them truth, purpose, and redemption from sin (Matthew 4:23). He healed broken lives, freeing people from sickness, demonic oppression, and the consequences of bad choices (Matthew 14:14).

He forgave sins, removing guilt and offering a new start (Luke 7:48-50). In these and countless other ways, Jesus met humanity’s profound spiritual needs.

The Ultimate Act of Service

Yet Christ’s service culminated in an even greater, history-changing act. By dying on the cross and rising again, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem lost humanity and restore our relationship with God (Romans 5:6-11). As Scripture says:

“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Christ’s willingness to suffer and die for our sins reflects the pinnacle of humble, sacrificial service. No other act so thoroughly defines love and servanthood (John 15:13).

Servanthood as Christ’s Calling for All Followers

Moreover, Jesus calls his followers to embrace servanthood as a way of life. As he taught after washing his disciples feet:

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15).

Indeed, serving others applies to every Christian. Scripture explains:

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

As believers, we demonstrate Christlike love through simple, practical deeds that lift others up (Matthew 25:35-40). In servanthood, we find life’s greatest meaning and fulfillment.

To Give His Life as a Ransom

Jesus came to earth with a clear purpose – to give his life as a ransom for humanity. This act of supreme sacrifice was the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem and restore relationship with humankind. Here are some key reasons why Jesus gave his life on the cross:

1. To Pay the Penalty for Sin

Sin separates people from God and earns the penalty of death (Romans 6:23). Jesus took that penalty on himself by dying on the cross, serving as a substitute sacrifice for sinners who trust in him (1 Peter 2:24).

His sacrifice resolves the problem of sin, redeems humanity, and reconciles us back to God.

2. To Fulfill Old Testament Prophecies

Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah and Savior (Luke 24:27). These include Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), and the promise of a New Covenant sealed with blood (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

3. To Demonstrate God’s Love

God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die in our place, even though we don’t deserve it (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Jesus’ sacrifice exhibits both God’s holiness and love – he cannot simply overlook sin, but he lovingly pays its penalty to make salvation possible.

4. To Overcome Evil

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus decisively triumphed over evil, sin and death (Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). His victory enables us to be freed from sin’s control as we align our lives under his loving lordship.

5. To Reconcile Us to God

Jesus’ death removes the barrier of sin that separates mankind from God, enabling those who believe to be made right with God (Romans 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). We can have peace, access and fellowship with God because of the reconciling work of the cross.

Jesus willingly gave up his life to purchase our freedom from sin and death. His supreme sacrifice makes salvation available to all who put their trust in him. What an amazing expression of redeeming love!

Conclusion

In summary, Scripture clearly reveals multiple important purposes behind Christ’s coming to earth. He brought the revelation of God’s grace and love, provided the way for forgiveness and eternal life, modeled the path we should walk, defeated evil powers, fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, announced the arrival of God’s Kingdom, reminded us that faith in Him will cause division, called us to serve others, and ultimately sacrificed his life to pay the price for human sin.