Why Did Jesus Come Down From Heaven?
Notes taken from Chapter 4 of Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll & Breshears
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38, ESV)
The division of human history and our calendar, as well as the annual celebration of the world's most significant holiday, Christmas, are centered around the birth of Jesus. This event marks Jesus' entry into the world and is a pivotal moment in history. Highlighting the universal impact of this holiday, the well-known character Bart Simpson humorously remarked, "Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ." This brings us to the crucial inquiry: What was the purpose behind Jesus' arrival on Earth?
The question of Jesus' purpose on Earth can be interpreted in numerous ways, depending on who you ask. However, Jesus Himself provides a clear answer to this question. In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphatically declares (on no fewer than thirty-nine occasions) that He is God, sent from heaven to Earth on a mission by God the Father. He explains this mission as the fulfillment of all the promises made in the Old Testament. In Matthew 5:17–18, Jesus emphasizes that He did not come to nullify the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. He assures that not the smallest letter or stroke of the Law will be set aside until everything is accomplished.
Therefore, the essence of Jesus' mission was not to invalidate or dismiss the Old Testament, but to complete all that was prophesied about Him in the Scriptures. A useful perspective to understand this profound truth is through the recognition of three key roles highlighted in the Old Testament: prophet, priest, and king. Each of these roles, woven throughout the Old Testament narrative, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. His earthly mission involved manifesting Himself in each of these capacities, thereby revealing His multifaceted identity to humanity.
Jesus the Prophet
In the Old Testament, prophets were the voice of God, boldly speaking His Word. They didn't hesitate to confront entire nations with the truth, challenging sin and urging repentance. Their words evoked strong reactions, either drawing people closer to God in humility or further hardening the hearts of those who resisted. The Puritans aptly compared this effect to how the same sun can melt ice but harden clay.
Moses stands out as the quintessential Old Testament prophet. He foretold the coming of a prophet greater than himself, a prophecy that was realized in Jesus (Deut. 18:15–18). The prophet's role was deeply tied to God's word, with the phrase "the word of Yahweh" appearing 241 times in the Old Testament, often spoken by prophets to signify divine authority. Old Testament scholar Gerhard Von Rad notes that 221 of these instances were declarations by prophets.
Jesus, however, surpassed even the greatest Old Testament prophets. While they spoke on God's authority, Jesus, being God Himself, spoke with His own authority, often starting His teachings with "I say to you..." (Matt. 5:22) This was a stark contrast to other religious leaders of the time, as noted by the astonishment of His listeners (Mark 1:22). Jesus emphasized His role as a truth-telling prophet, frequently asserting, "I tell you the truth" in the Gospel of John.
Additionally, Jesus' relationship with the Word of God was unique. Not only did He proclaim the written Word, but He was also the living, incarnate Word. John's Gospel describes Him as both with God and being God, who became flesh and lived among us, revealing divine glory (John 1:1, 14).
As a prophet, Jesus was an unparalleled preacher. He stated that preaching was a primary reason for His coming to Earth, as seen in His travels and teachings across Galilee. Jesus' prophetic role involved boldly confronting sin and calling for repentance (Mark 1:36–42).
However, understanding Jesus as a prophet can sometimes be challenging. I (Pastor Mark Driscoll) recall a conversation with a new Christian who felt depressed reading the Bible, realizing the extent of his sin. I explained that this was Jesus, the prophet, speaking to him through Scripture, highlighting his sins not to depress him but to lead him to repentance and joy. Jesus, in his prophetic role, was like a direct and personal guide, pointing out sins and urging a new path. To fully grasp this, one must also understand Jesus' ministry as a priest.
Jesus the Priest
In the Old Testament narrative, priests served as mediators between God and humanity. Their role was to represent the people's hopes, fears, and sins before God, acting as their advocate and intercessor. They performed sacrifices, symbolizing the gravity of sin and its deserving of death, while seeking God's mercy. Their duties culminated in pronouncing God's blessings. Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate fulfillment of these priestly functions.
The Book of Hebrews extensively discusses Jesus' priestly role, referring to Him as our "high priest” (Heb. 3:1; 4:14). Despite being divine, Jesus humbly became human to relate to us. As both fully divine and human, He is the sole mediator between humanity and God (1 Tim. 2:5).
Jesus' priestly role includes offering the ultimate sacrifice for our sins—His life and blood, surpassing the offerings of Old Testament priests (Heb. 9:26). Hebrews also reveals that Jesus continues His priestly duties from heaven, interceding for us before God (Heb. 7:25). He is intimately involved in our lives, caring for us, and bringing our needs and sins before God in a prayerful and loving manner.
This priestly intercession enables our prayers and worship. Through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, our bodies become temples where God dwells.
Understanding Jesus as our priest reveals His deep, personal love and desire for our well-being, fostering an intimate relationship with God the Father. This is in stark contrast to the harsh, judgmental deity portrayed in many religions. Jesus’ humility and service set Him apart from man-made religious concepts.
The New Testament consistently highlights Jesus' humble priestly service. For instance, Luke 19:10 depicts Jesus as a caring priest seeking to save the lost. This is exemplified in the story of Matthew in Matthew 9:9–13. Jesus, instead of confronting Matthew the tax collector as a prophet, extends friendship, symbolizing His priestly mercy.
Religious leaders often point out sins prophetically, yet fail to offer the priestly friendship that exposes sinners to God's patient mercy. Jesus, however, embodies both roles, serving us and offering His life for ours, a theme echoed in his statement in Matthew 20:28 about serving rather than being served.
Hebrews 4:15–16 encapsulates the significance of Jesus' priestly ministry. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, having faced temptations and suffering without sin. This allows us to confidently seek His grace and mercy in our times of need. Jesus, as our prophet, speaks boldly; as our priest, He serves humbly, impacting every aspect of our lives as our king.
Jesus the King
The Bible refers to Jesus as "Lord," signifying that He is the supreme ruler, the king above all kings, with authority over the entire creation. This concept is highlighted in John 18:36–37, where Jesus, in a dialogue with a king, asserts His sovereignty over all other rulers, governing a kingdom that encompasses the entirety of creation. Abraham Kuyper, a theologian and politician, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Christ, the supreme ruler, claims every aspect of human existence as His own.
Jesus' teaching extends His reign to both the physical and spiritual realms, encompassing everything from angels and demons to individuals of various beliefs, backgrounds, and statuses. He governs over diverse groups such as Christians and non-Christians, people from different eras, genders, ages, socioeconomic statuses, political affiliations, and health conditions.
Moreover, Jesus' sovereignty permeates every facet of our personal lives. There is no aspect of existence that escapes His domain, from our personal belongings to our professional and private spaces. As king, Jesus requires and deserves our complete obedience in every aspect of our lives, leaving no room for a "personal life" detached from His lordship.
This truth became strikingly clear to me during a conversation with a man who struggled with alcohol and pornography addiction. Despite identifying as a Christian, husband, and father, he resisted discussing his "personal life," viewing it as a private matter. I attempted to convey that one cannot acknowledge Jesus as Lord while maintaining areas of life immune to His authority. Ignoring Jesus' kingship over every part of our existence only leads to hypocrisy, secrecy, and a life shrouded in shame and darkness.
“so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10–11, ESV)
We need to have a balanced view of Jesus as prophet, priest, and king
Prophet + King - Priest = Jesus of Fundamentalism
The version of Jesus embraced by some fundamentalist Christians, characterized by a focus on His roles as prophet and king while neglecting His priestly aspect, leads to a skewed perception of His nature. This perspective highlights Jesus' prophetic identity as a forthright truth-speaker and a commander of repentance, and His kingly authority that oversees all creation. However, it often overlooks the essential priestly role of Jesus, which brings warmth, closeness, and a sense of compassion.
Such a limited view tends to portray God as remote, severe, and possibly even unkind. In this interpretation, Jesus is seen as a distant figure on a throne, more inclined to reprimand than to assist, perpetually disappointed and awaiting our failures. This depiction of Jesus makes Him someone we might instinctively avoid in times of need rather than seek out for comfort or guidance.
The consequences of this theological imbalance are often despair or arrogance, rather than worship, humility, or joy. It creates a religious framework where God is perceived as an overbearing authority, leading to a cycle of pride when we believe we are succeeding and despondency when we perceive ourselves as failing. The nurturing, compassionate aspect of Jesus as a priest, which provides loving support, is undervalued or ignored, leaving a gap in understanding His comprehensive nature.
Prophet + Priest - King = Jesus of Evangelicalism
A notable aspect of contemporary evangelicalism is the paradox of adhering to fundamental Christian beliefs while leading lives that often don't differ much from non-Christians, especially in areas like sexual morality. Researchers like George Barna have dedicated their work to highlighting these inconsistencies through statistical analysis. This phenomenon can be attributed to the undervaluing or outright neglect of Jesus' role as king.
In this version of Christianity, adherents recognize Jesus as a truth-telling prophet and a loving priest. They find comfort in the belief that Jesus will forgive their sins and continue to love them. However, they still maintain control over their own lives. They turn to the Bible or to Jesus for assistance, but they don't genuinely submit to Jesus' authority over them. Instead, they view Jesus as a supportive figure who aids them in achieving their personal goals, but only when they choose to involve Him. This leads to a hypocritical lifestyle where individuals profess Jesus as Lord and acknowledge the truth of His Word, yet selectively apply these beliefs to their lives. They claim ownership over their possessions, decisions, and lifestyles, effectively ruling over certain areas of their lives with Jesus relegated to the role of a helpful aide. This creates a dichotomy where they honor Jesus in word but not in practice, asserting control over their lives as if they themselves were the sovereign rulers.
Priest + King - Prophet = Jesus of Liberalism
Liberal Christianity often emphasizes Jesus as a priest, abundant in grace, love, mercy, and patient tolerance, and as a king who benevolently governs all people, extending these virtues to them. However, a significant shortcoming in this perspective is the underestimation of Jesus' role as a prophet with a more assertive edge. This leads to a portrayal of Jesus as invariably gentle, avoiding any actions that might offend, upset, or demand urgent repentance, under the guise of infinite patience and understanding.
This concept was highlighted in a discussion I had with a pastor who led a network of liberal churches. He believed that a pastor should never offend anyone, associating offense with pride. However, this view was challenged when considering Jesus, who, despite his humility, often enraged people to the point of them demanding his crucifixion. This pastor ultimately conceded that Jesus, while being the epitome of humility, did at times speak sharply due to the prophetic nature of his messages. Jesus, therefore, embodied both the gentleness of a priest and the directness of a prophet.
Without recognizing Jesus as a prophet, liberal Christianity tends to endorse beliefs and behaviors that are contrary to biblical teachings, under the assumption that all practices and beliefs are equally valid in Jesus' view. This includes acceptance of practices like homosexuality and universalism without critical examination.
Jesus' purpose on Earth was to manifest as prophet, priest, and king. His ministry persists, unchanged through time. To fully benefit from Jesus' multifaceted nature, we must seek to understand which aspects of his ministry we might be overlooking or misinterpreting, and approach Scripture with a heart open to seeing Jesus in his full glory. With a comprehensive understanding of why Jesus came, we can then delve into how he came, through the Virgin Mary.
Answers to common questions about Jesus Mission
How is it possible for Jesus to genuinely empathize with me in His role as a priest when He, being free from sin, hasn't gone through the damaging effects of sin as I have?
The issue of how Jesus, a sinless being, can empathize with our struggles, especially when dealing with the consequences of sin, is a complex one. Isaiah poetically describes Jesus as bearing our sorrows and griefs. David, in the Psalms, portrays the Messiah as scorned and despised. Jesus Himself spoke of the suffering and contempt He would endure. This suffering is vividly depicted in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus grappled with the impending burden of taking on humanity's sins. Paul explains this as God making Jesus, who knew no sin, to bear our sins.
This suggests that Jesus experienced the burden of sin throughout His life, much like Frodo’s journey to Mount Doom in "The Lord of the Rings," where the ring's weight becomes increasingly unbearable. Similarly, Jesus felt the growing weight of His mission, culminating in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He was strengthened by an angel before continuing alone. Despite this immense burden, Jesus remained sinless, embodying the holiness of a prophet while also understanding the weight of sin, aiding His role as a priest.
Does the requirement to obey Jesus as my king imply that salvation is achieved through performing good works?
Regarding obedience to Jesus as king and its relation to salvation by works, it's important to distinguish between salvation (acceptance by God, also known as justification) and the subsequent growth in Christian life (sanctification). Justification is entirely a gift from God, not influenced by our actions. For instance, it's like being a neglected teenager adopted by a loving president who treats you with utmost care and honor; offering a small sum of money in return would be absurd.
Once we're God’s children, He desires our growth and happiness, which is where sanctification comes in. This growth is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, aiding us in becoming all that we can be, purely out of grace. Paul clarifies that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works, ensuring that no one can boast about earning salvation. However, as God’s children, we are encouraged to perform good works, not to earn His love, but because we are already loved and want to live as His satisfied children. Thus, while salvation is not due to our works, we are saved for good works.
The post consists of notes taken from Chapter 4 of Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll & Breshears.
Driscoll, Mark, and Gerry Breshears. Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007.