The answers to the two questions that serve as titles to this article are obviously the same to you and I. But are they the same to all the various religious bodies/denominations in our country? Suppose a foreign visitor came to the U.S. knowing only that a promised Messiah came to earth and lived for 30 years or so. After looking around at all the religions we have in this country for a period of time, you asked him both the above questions. What answers would you receive? Here are a few very real possibilities:
1-Christ must have come to FEED the POOR and NEEDY.
2-Jesus obviously came to MAKE SURE ALL HIS CREATION WAS LIVING IN HAPPINESS.
3-The Savior’s mission was to STAMP OUT POVERTY.
4-Christ left Heaven to END ALL WARS ON THE EARTH.
5-It sure seems to me the Savior came to earth to make certain that everyone, young or old had access to healthcare and education.
6-From what I am seeing, when Jesus arrived on earth, HE IMMEDIATELY PLACED A HIGH PRIORITY ON THE SOCIAL GOSPEL and MINISTERING TO THE WHOLE MAN.
I am sorry to say that if you do not think these thoughts and ideals are everywhere in the religious world in 2019, then you need to look around. Many have lost complete sight of the God they claim to serve and the Son intended to be their Savior and Lord.
Let’s examine what the Scriptures say concerning “Why Did the Savior Heaven Leave”:
1-Jesus Came to PREACH HIS GOSPEL. One morning the disciples were looking for Jesus because the people wanted to speak to Him. “But He said to them ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may PREACH there also, FOR THIS IS WHAT I CAME FOR.” (Mark 1:38). Christ preached from the mountains, from a boat, by the shore, in synagogues, in the house of a tax collector, and anywhere else people would listen.
2-Christ came to earth TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST. These six words fully describe His mission in plain simple language. But men have long ago forgotten these words which were spoken by Jesus Himself. For the SON of Man has COME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST”. (Luke 19:10).
3-The Savior’s Mission was very specific. HE TARGETED THE WHOLE SINFUL WORLD FOR HIS MESSAGE OF SALVATION. This was made known to Paul when the Lord appointed him a special apostle to the Gentiles, and he later wrote these words: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, of whom I am chief”. (I Tim 1:15).
4-Jesus Came To Earth To REDEEM US FROM OUR SINS AND PURIFY US TO BE HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE. God’s eternal plan called for a people to honor and glorify His Holy Name while they lived here below. “Who gave Himself for us, that He might REDEEM US from every LAWLESS DEED and PURIFY FOR HIMSELF HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, zealous for good works”. (Titus 2:14).
5-The Savior appeared on earth to RECONCILE US TO GOD AND PROVIDE US FULL ACCESS TO THE FATHER. When we ALL SINNED, those iniquities SEPARATED US FROM our HOLY GOD. (Is 59:1-2). Being completely apart from the FATHER is a major issue and problem for anyone and help Is needed. Christ provided that help. “That He might RECONCILE them both TO GOD in one body THROUGH THE CROSS…FOR THROUGH HIM WE BOTH HAVE ACCESS BY ONE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER”. (Eph 2:16-18).
6-Christ left heaven to live on this earth as a man in order to SERVE AS OUR HIGH PRIEST. We needed an intercessor that could understand our temptations and struggles and someone who had the ability to APPEASE GOD’S WRATH toward us because of our sins. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made LIKE HIS BRETHREN, that He might be a MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HGH PRIEST in things pertaining to God, to MAKE PROPITIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE. For in that HE HIMSELF HAS SUFFERED, BEING TEMPTED, He is able to AID THOSE WHO ARE TEMPTED”. (Heb 2:17-18).
7-Jesus left the glories of heaven to SHED HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS AS A RANSOM PAYMENT FOR OUR BONDAGE IN SIN AND DEMONSTRATE THE GRACE OF GOD TO ALL THE WORLD. Before the foundation of the world, God determined a plan by which people could be SAVED FROM SIN THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO HIS WILL by HIS AMAZING GRACE. The plan also includes us being adopted as His Children to present a life COMMTTED IN SERVICE TO HIM. “IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE’’. (Eph 1:7).
8-Christ came to the earth that we might have ACCESS TO, THEN LAY HOLD ON, THE ULTIMATE PRIZE. The ultimate prize for the Christian is an eternal home in Heaven through Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul writes: “I press on, that I may LAY HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS HAS ALSO LAID HOLD OF ME. I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS”. (Phil 3:12,14).
The Revealed and Inspired Scriptures make the reasons WHY JESUS LEFT HEAVEN AND CAME TO EARTH VERY CLEAR. The passages listed above are just a few of many others we are given to help build our faith in the eternal plan of God. See also Matt 5:17; John 6:38; Matt 10:35; John 9:39; 6:26; 10:10; 12:46; etc.
As Children of the Most High, let us not be fooled or swayed by modern organized religion’s version of the mission and purpose of Christ coming to earth. The simple fact of the matter is that ANY reason given or demonstrated by men for His appearance here below that is NOT INTERTWINED WITH SALVATION FROM SIN AND ETERNAL LIFE WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON IS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO WHAT GOD’s WORD REVEALS.
HOWEVER, There is the “Rest of the Story” (Paul Harvey). Just as plain as the TRUTHS presented in this article, are the RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS given in Scripture for each of us to our fellow man, and these RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE FULFILLED:
Love Others (I Cor 13). Do Good To All (Gal 6:10). Pray For All Men (Luke 11:1-13; James 5:16). Feed the Hungry and Needy; Give Drink to the Thirsty; Clothe those who need clothes. Visit Those Who are SICK or in Prison (Matt 25:32-46). TEACH THE WORLD THE REAL REASONS THE SAVIOR CAME TO EARTH – TO SAVE THEIR SOULS ON HIS TERMS.
Let us make sure we are not neglecting any of our obligations in these matters and just serve Him and others faithfully.