Why Jesus Came June 2, 2024
TEXT: I John 3:5-8; 4:9
As we continue to look into First John, this morning we will focus on what John tells us about why Jesus left Heaven's glory to come to earth. Our text is from 1 John 3:5-8 and 4:9, which says: " (5) And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is there no sin. (6) Whosoever abides in Him sins not; whosoever sins has not seen Him, neither knows Him. (7) Little children, let no man deceive you. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. (8) He who commits sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the Devil;" to chapter 4:9: "In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."
The word manifested means to make clear or evident to the eye or understanding; or to show plainly. John's purpose in using it is to show us that what he is writing is plain to see when one studies the Scriptures. His writings provide us with the answers to two questions of the Ages: why Jesus was incarnated (or made human) and why He endured the horror of the cross.
Beginning with verse 5 John tells us that Jesus came to take away our sins even though He was sinless. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Then in Romans 5:12 Paul shows us that sin entered the world through one man who was Adam. Because of Adam's sin, death came to him. It was his transgression that caused everyone born after him to be born into sin and condemned to death. It's natural to ask how it can be that the entire human race is guilty of the act of one person especially so long ago. And there are many who feel it's wrong for God to judge us all because of what Adam did. But if we had been in Adam place, we would have done what he did, or perhaps even worse. Each of us confirms how we are like Adam by the sins we commit every day. We have the same sinful nature, which causes us sorrow, pain, and death. We're born with a natural inclination to rebel against God, and we will be judged for the sins we commit. Because we are sinners, we need justice, we need mercy.
Paul goes on to show us in Romans 6:23 that while we are free to choose between two masters, we are not free to adjust the consequences of which choice we make. Each of these masters expects payment with their own kind of currency. The currency of Satan is eternal torment in Hell. That's all we can expect or hope for in a life without God. But the currency Jesus Christ is a new life with God that begins on earth and continues for eternity in peace and happiness with Him. It's up to each individual to make that choice. The choice must be made in this life, or it will be too late. Why should Jesus be your choice? Because He who was without sin came to this world so He could remove our sin, making Him our perfect Savior.
Jesus also came to destroy the work of Satan as seen in verse 8. Satan's work began in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3 shows that death came to the human race because of that sin against God. But even after sinning against Him, God still looked for Adam and Eve after they hid themselves from Him because they were afraid after they disobeyed Him. It was at that time that God promised a Redeemer who would bruise the Serpent's head. That promise was fulfilled when the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, defeated death, and we can look forward to the day when Jesus will throw Satan into the Lake of Fire where he will remain forever.
Jesus is still destroying the work of Satan today. John 6:37 shows Jesus telling us that whoever accepts Him as their Lord and Savior will never be turned away from Him. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we become new people when we accept Jesus into our lives because the Holy Spirit gives us a new life that makes us different from who we were. We aren't reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated -- we are new creations living in union with Jesus. And John tells us in John 8:36 that it's Jesus who makes us free from Satan through the Cross. This freedom is something the world can't give us and in fact, the world will never understand it.
Finally, John shows us in chapter 4, verse 9 of our text that Jesus came to show the love that God the Father has for each one of us, His most prized creation. Even though we are born into sin, He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus into the world so that we can have the ability to escape the sentence passed on to us from the Garden of Eden and live eternally with Him. How much love our God must have for each of us that He would do such and thing. And how much love must Jesus also has for us that He would willingly give up Heaven's glory to take on the sins of the world by shedding His blood on the cross to free us from our sins. As John wrote in chapter 1 John 3:1: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us" allowing us to be called God's children.
God's invitation to forgiveness is available to every person who freely accepts His gift. All that's needed is to recognize your sinful nature, ask for forgiveness, accept Jesus into your life, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life daily until that wonderful day when you will finally meet Jesus. If you haven't accepted Him yet, please don't wait any longer. Do it now then share His message of love and forgiveness with others.
And that my friends, is why Jesus came into this world.
Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.