What was God's purpose in sending Jesus?

I. The Fulfillment of Prophecy

From the earliest chapters of Scripture, the promise of a Redeemer resonates throughout the text. God’s purpose in sending Jesus unfolded through prophecies that pointed to His coming. In Genesis 3:15, God declares that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate victory over evil. Later prophecies, such as Isaiah 7:14 (“The virgin will conceive and bear a son…”) and Micah 5:2 (“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel…”), further specify details of His birth.

Archaeological evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran, which contain copies of Isaiah dating to before the time of Christ, supports that these Messianic prophecies existed well in advance of Jesus’s earthly life. Through these ancient texts, one can observe the consistent expectation of a Messiah—demonstrating God’s sovereign plan for a long-awaited Savior.

II. The Revelation of God’s Character

God’s purpose is further realized by Jesus revealing the full nature of God. John 1:14 proclaims, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” In Jesus, humanity witnesses God’s attributes in a tangible way: His holiness, compassion, mercy, and justice.

Ancient writings attest to the uniqueness of Christ’s teachings and personality. Roman historians (e.g., Tacitus) and Jewish historians (e.g., Josephus) noted that Jesus’s followers worshiped Him as divine, distinct among religious figures of the period. This external corroboration underscores that in Jesus, God manifestly showed Himself to the world.

III. Redemption from Sin

A central reason God sent Jesus is redemption. Romans 3:23 states, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” revealing how sin separates humanity from a holy God. Yet Romans 5:8 declares, “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of sin, fulfilling the sacrificial system foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

From papyri fragments and codices that preserve the text of Romans, scholars confirm the consistency of this biblical message across thousands of manuscripts. These manuscripts teach that Christ’s death was an atoning sacrifice, perfectly matching the Old Testament requirement of a spotless lamb (cf. Exodus 12; John 1:29).

IV. Restoration of Relationship with God

God also sent Jesus to restore humanity’s direct fellowship with Him. Galatians 4:4–5 affirms, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son… that we might receive our adoption as sons.” Through Christ, human beings become adopted children of God. This relational change is key: no mere moral improvement, but a re-established bond with the Creator.

Miraculous healings, recorded both historically and in modern testimonies, point to the ongoing power of Jesus to transform and restore. Various anecdotal cases of spontaneous healing and medical anomalies—cases where doctors cannot attribute a recovery to standard procedures—demonstrate that the same God who has authority to forgive sin also has authority over physical life (Mark 2:9–11).

V. Defeat of Death and Triumph of the Resurrection

In sending Jesus, God aimed to conquer death and guarantee eternal life. The resurrection stands at the center: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). This resurrection is extensively attested by early Christian testimony, multiple reports of post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of the disciples from fearful to boldly proclaiming Christ risen.

The “minimal facts” approach (utilized by various scholars) highlights that both Christian and non-Christian sources affirm the disciples had experiences they believed were appearances of the risen Jesus. The empty tomb is further supported by early creeds found in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, and the unwavering conviction of the earliest believers—even under persecution—testifies to their certainty of the resurrection’s reality.

VI. The Establishment of the Kingdom of God

God’s purpose in sending Jesus was also to inaugurate His Kingdom. In Mark 1:15, Jesus proclaims, “The time is fulfilled… the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel!” This kingdom is a spiritual reign initiated by Christ and one day will be physically consummated when He returns. As Scripture affirms (e.g., Revelation 11:15), His rule will ultimately prevail.

Studies of early church growth demonstrate how swiftly His kingdom message spread, even amidst persecution. Historical documents by Eusebius and others show that small pockets of believers multiplied, united by Christ’s teaching and empowered by the Holy Spirit, setting the foundation for what continues to this day.

VII. Demonstration of God’s Love

Underlying each purpose is God’s love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” Love is the motive at every step. Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection reveal divine love in action, inviting humanity to a relationship that brings forgiveness, hope, and eternal life.

Archaeological findings (e.g., the Nazareth inscription from the 1st century) hint at early recognition that something extraordinary happened surrounding Jesus’s death and supposed resurrection, consistent with the biblical claim of His unmatched role in expressing God’s love to humankind.

VIII. The Call to Receive Salvation

God’s purpose was not only to send Jesus but also to summon all people to respond. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” This exclusive claim is grounded in the historic person of Christ, whose resurrection verifies His identity as the Savior. Christ invites individuals everywhere to repent and believe.

Biblical manuscripts collected from locations ranging from Egypt to Greece confirm that early Christians preached a unified message: Jesus is the unique means of salvation (cf. John 14:6). Behavioral changes among first-century believers—abandoning pagan gods, adopting moral teachings, embracing persecution rather than renouncing faith—reinforce that they believed their eternal destiny hinged on Christ alone.

IX. Restoration of Creation and Ultimate Purpose

Although the ultimate restoration of creation is future (Romans 8:19–25), Jesus’s first coming ensures it will happen. Jesus’s resurrection is the “firstfruits” of new creation (1 Corinthians 15:20). All believers look forward to the day when pain, sin, and death are fully eradicated.

From a scientific perspective supportive of intelligent design, many point to features such as the Cambrian explosion, irreducibly complex biological structures, and data indicating a fine-tuned universe. These suggest a personal and purposeful Creator. In tandem with a biblical timeline akin to Ussher’s, God’s plan has always been intentional, culminating in Jesus’s redemptive work and final, promised restoration.

X. Conclusion

God’s purpose in sending Jesus spans prophecy-fulfillment, revelation of divine nature, redemption from sin, restoration of relationship, defeat of death, inauguration of His kingdom, and demonstration of His love—ultimately calling humanity to salvation and hinting toward the complete renewal of creation. Scripture attests to this in numerous passages, early manuscripts corroborate its consistent message, archaeology confirms historical context, and modern-day accounts of miracles echo the continuing power of Christ’s resurrection. This grand narrative encourages every individual to receive the gift God offers through Christ and to glorify Him in the restored fellowship He intended from the beginning.