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Jesus’s ultimate goal in His life, the reason He come to earth was this: to save us. In order to accomplish that, He had to give away his life:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Due to our own limitation, it’s impossible to grasp what that meant for Him. We don’t know what will happen in a few seconds, so we cannot understand what it is like to live your whole life knowing everything that will happen, knowing that you will suffer and be killed in a cruel way, although you have the power to stop it at anytime.
Jesus’ love for all mankind and his desire to follow God’s will was so strong that giving up was never a possibility for Him.
But it doesn’t mean that it was easy. On the contrary:
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (John 12:27)
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
He said those words so we would know that fulfilling God’s plan was a hard task even for Him. But He also wanted to make it clear that He would only do what was God’s will, no matter what.
With His last words before His death, He showed that He was following a plan, which was concluded:
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)
It was finished, but it was not the end. Salvation was provided to mankind, and the new relationship between mankind and God was just beginning.
Jesus’ sacrifice reconnected God and mankind, Creator and creation. He followed God’s plan to the letter and He did it willingly, with a purpose:
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38-40)
Jesus’ goal was to die for us, so we could live. Let’s make it our goal to have a life. A true life with Him, forever.
This post is part of the “One Word at a Time Blog Carnival” hosted by Peter Pollock. Check out his blog for links to other posts that were written based on the word “goals”.
A Beautifully written post! Yes, the Goal of Jesus was to fulfill the will of His Father, and that meant going to the cross and all the torment that went along with His obedience. Yes, when he said “it is finished,” He meant the plan of salvation was secure. He had finished his work to provide salvation for all who were willing to receive it. Yes, all was not over, for as was spoken and prophesied, He rose from the dead, and gave proof over 40 days showing his self to many. Then He promised to return and in His absence He promised to send the Holy Spirit to comfort us. His Goal was completed. He is alive today and His Holy Spirit lives in me.
When I think about it, it amazes me how much God (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) loves us.
And He went to such great lengths to show it!
Thank you for your comment, Hazel!
I love that you say our goal is to have a life – Christ did so much for us but many times we just plod along grumbling. Thanks for the reminder of what thsi life cost.
Yes He did! Thank you for your feedback, Tracey, I appreciate it!
Amen! That is my goal.
I also love Philippians 2:6-8 and how it describes the mindset of Jesus and his goal.
Ryan, thanks for your comment and mentioning those verses, they do summarize very well Jesus coming to earth and what that meant for Him.
Our goal and our purpose – become one with him.
Good post, Cris.
Thank you very much, Glynn!
Ah, thank you for your words and His words. “A true life with Him, forever.” Excellent.
Thank you, Katdish!