The Sacrificial Death of God’s Son
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”.
John 10:11
The purpose of God’s Son leaving heaven and coming to earth was to save the human race (John 3:17). Jesus’ incarnation was to reveal the Father’s love to mankind. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (verse 16). Thus, through God’s sacrifice it became possible for humans to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). There is no greater love than that (John 15:13).
When Jesus was but a child, He understood His mission and informed His earthly parents that He “must be about [His] Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Jesus was conscious of the destiny that He was called to do (Matthew 7:21; 26:39; John 4:34). And He lived His life to fulfill that work.
The Gift of Salvation
Jesus came to save all people even the worst sinners (Luke 15:1–10). No one is refused the benefits of redemption. For God’s Son declared, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9: 13). Christ hates sin but loves the sinner. He welcomes all that come to Him in repentance (Luke 15:21–22; Isaiah 57:15). And He affirms, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Although God’s love embraces all mankind, it directly profits only those who accept it (John 1:12). There are no limits to the love of God. But the will of God must be confirmed by the will of each individual man in order that it may become effective for him. Salvation is only for those who believe and follow Christ (John 1:12; 3:16). But it is God’s goodness that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4). And His followers will show their love by obedience to His commands through His enabling power (John 14:15).
Jesus came to restore not only man but also all that had been lost by man’s sin. The world itself will be again recreated to the Edenic beauty. It will be inhabited by a sinless race, and all “that which was lost” will be restored in “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21).
Finally, God will be glorified in the completion of the work that His Son came to do for the salvation of man. Christ said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). And because of Jesus’ death many will live and find peace and eternal joy (Revelation 19:1).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
