Mission of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was called to his mission from the beginning of time

Isaiah 49:1 NLT

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.

See also ;

Jesus’ mission as Messiah was foretold

His mission to help and heal the poor

Isaiah 61:1–3 NLT

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

See also ; ; ; ;

His mission to rule and establish the kingdom of God

Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

See also ; ; ;

His mission to establish justice and peace

Isaiah 11:4–5 NLT

He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

See also ; ;

His mission to suffer and die

Isaiah 53:3–10 NLT

He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

His mission was fulfilled in humility and poverty

Zechariah 9:9 NLT

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

See also ;

His mission was for all nations

Isaiah 49:6 NLT

He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

See also ; ;

Aspects of Jesus Christ’s mission

Preaching and teaching

Luke 4:43 NLT

But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

See also ; ; ; ;

Sacrificial service

Matthew 20:28 NLT

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

See also ; ;

Healing

A healing ministry was one of the signs of the expected Messiah.

See also ; ; ; ;

Judgment

Jesus Christ does not come to condemn, but the response people make to him is the ultimate criterion of judgment. Those truly seeking God turn to faith in Jesus Christ; unbelievers, by their rejection of him, are confirmed in their unbelief.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Criteria for the direction of Jesus Christ’s mission

Obedience to his Father’s will

John 6:38 NLT

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

See also ; ; ;

The fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets

Matthew 5:17 NLT

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

See also ; ; ; ;

Jesus Christ’s saving death is the supreme aspect and focus of his mission

Jesus Christ came to save and to give life

John 10:10 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

See also ; ; ; ;

Jesus Christ came to suffer and to die

Matthew 16:21 NLT

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

See also ; ; ; ;

Jesus Christ was aware of the personal cost of his mission

Luke 12:50 NLT

I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.

See also

The mission of Jesus Christ continues today

Jesus Christ’s own work continues

Hebrews 7:24–25 NLT

But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

Christians are called to share in Jesus Christ’s mission

John 20:21 NLT

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

See also ; ;