Why did Jesus Come?
I think this statement is something we really need to consider and answer for ourselves. What is the primary reason that Jesus came? Clearly social issues are a major thrust of his ministry. There are plenty of verses that speak to this (Mark 9:37, Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 25:31-46…etc). But is this the PRIMARY reason he came?
Our world has gotten hold of this underlying idea that sin is some sort of cursory problem that Jesus came to solve along with the problems of society which are ever rampant. People naturally assume it rather insignificant for Jesus to come primarily to solve such a "Spiritual" problem when so many are faced with the consequences of physical and temporal injustices. In modern evangelicalism, especially to the left, we see an increasing emphasis on the problems with our political system, "Trumpism", and the marginalization of minorities. We have to ask the question, then, what actually is the primary reason Jesus came?
Consider what Jesus says in Luke 12:13-14:
"Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.'
Jesus replied, 'Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?' Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
So what has happened in the middle of Jesus's teaching was that
he was interrupted by a man who has been done wrong. Though we do not know all
of the details, we can only assume that the man is telling the truth (Jesus
surely does not question his sincerity)--and that his brother has failed to
appropriately divide the inheritance as was customary in Israel at that time.
If you put yourselves into this guy's shoes, you cannot but feel a little
sympathy for his situation. He has been waiting for his share of his father's
inheritance most likely his entire life, and now when he has the opportunity to
cash it in--his brother denies him! How wrong! What a gross injustice!
But Jesus's response is one that may surprise us--especially
in a day like our own when we are so fixated on topics like income inequality
and fairness. He says, "Who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between
you?" I want everyone to notice this response. He does not question the
man's situation. He does not say, “you are legally wrong to lay a claim on your
share of the inheritance.” In fact he says nothing about who is technically
right or technically wrong--He actually does not seem to care at all! He only
continues on to warn him of all kinds of greed, which hints that this man's
focus on temporal finances is not quite on par with the truly weighty topics he
was just discussing.
This is something modern Christianity desperately needs to
understand. Jesus did not come to solve the world’s problems. He did not. That
is what everyone was actually looking for Him to do, remember? To start a
revolution—to commence the beginning of the brilliant Kingdom that had long
been promised--to free Israel from the immensely unjust shackles of Roman
occupation. But, he does not do that! In fact, it seems that he really does not
have much to say about current event issues: whether it be Rome, taxes, or disputes
between brothers or disciples.
And we have to actually answer the question, why is this the case?
It is the case because, as Jesus tells Pilate: "My Kingdom is not of this world." Jesus had bigger issues to deal with then what the people were desperately wanting. There were more serious problems at stake than the temporal physical problems of the world. Jesus came primarily that man might be reconciled to God and not be separated from Him forever in hell. That is why Jesus came, died, and rose again: That he might not lose any of whom the Father has given Him, but raise them up on the last day.
We make a mistake when we try to make these temporal political issues on equal level with the eternal. Both are issues, and Christianity no kidding speaks to those temporal ones with a vengeance. We will actually find (as C. S. Lewis say) throughout history it has been the people who were the most focused on eternity who actually made the biggest differences in the temporal realm, but that is beside the point. Our modern minds have to understand the drastic gulf between the Spiritual and the Physical. Between the Eternal and the Transient. The greatest need of mankind is not comfort, security, or even daily sustenance. The greatest need is salvation from sin and hell.
And we have to actually answer the question, why is this the case?
It is the case because, as Jesus tells Pilate: "My Kingdom is not of this world." Jesus had bigger issues to deal with then what the people were desperately wanting. There were more serious problems at stake than the temporal physical problems of the world. Jesus came primarily that man might be reconciled to God and not be separated from Him forever in hell. That is why Jesus came, died, and rose again: That he might not lose any of whom the Father has given Him, but raise them up on the last day.
We make a mistake when we try to make these temporal political issues on equal level with the eternal. Both are issues, and Christianity no kidding speaks to those temporal ones with a vengeance. We will actually find (as C. S. Lewis say) throughout history it has been the people who were the most focused on eternity who actually made the biggest differences in the temporal realm, but that is beside the point. Our modern minds have to understand the drastic gulf between the Spiritual and the Physical. Between the Eternal and the Transient. The greatest need of mankind is not comfort, security, or even daily sustenance. The greatest need is salvation from sin and hell.
Let's not then out of a desire to do good, minimize the
greatest good.
Good thoughts! I like Tim Keller's distinction because it reminds me about how Jesus made it clear when he was here on earth he wasn't all about freeing people from the Roman oppression. He had bigger fish to fry!
ReplyDeleteHowever, to use a "this not that" sort of statement limits the WAY Jesus came to save us from sin. "Solving the worlds problems" (i.e. restoring the brokenness in the world) seems to be a means that God uses to give us a picture of his love for us (the gospel). This makes me think it's a both-and rather than a more important thing (saving from sins) and a still important but less important thing (solving the worlds problems).
I really do not intend to minimize in any way the need for the church to be involved in social issues. I mean, the parable of Lazarus and the beggar speaks directly to an affluent society like ours (or even church like ours) that does not love and take care the poorest in its community. It is something that is so major, and something the church needs to be doing a better job of. Unquestionably.
DeleteBut we cannot go to the other extreme like I fear many have. I see many young Christians who are very passionate about issues in the world and their social media lives reflect that. I say, good for them! But I am concerned that I see almost no talk from many of these people ever about what it means to be saved, or what is man's greatest need. It would be such a pity if we as Christians could help so many people's physical needs, but leave their greatest need unmet: Christ.
I have this theory, and it will need exploring. But it is this (and I am stealing from Lewis): Those people who want to bring heaven to earth, who are all about fixing the worlds problems alone ("alone" key word)--actually don't do much good for the world's problems at all. In fact, they can make it worse! But it is those people who are so wrapped up in eternity. Those people who are so fixated on Christ and his glorious gospel--who love God so much and therefore love their fellow man so much--THOSE are the people who will make the biggest difference for the needy and the hurting here and now.
Lewis says, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither." Something to think about.
This blog takes me back to what Philip Yancey stated about the unfairness in this world. Goes like this. The cross that held Jesus body, naked and marked with scars, exposed all the violence and injustice of the world. At once the Cross revealed what kind of world we have and what kind of God we have: a world of gross unfairness, a God of sacrificial love. No one is exempt from tragedy or disappointment - God himself was not exempt. Jesus offered no immunity, no way out of the unfairness, but rather a way through it to the other side. Just as Good Friday demolished the instinctive belief that this life is supposed to be fair, Easter Sunday followed with its startling clue to the riddle of the universe. Out of the darkness, a bright light shone....Someday, God will restore all physical reality to its proper place under his reign. Until then, it is a good thing to remember that we live out our days on Easter Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment! I agree with the sentiments of that Yancey quotation. And it is not saying that we should not advocate for changes to the unfairness in our world or NOT be a voice to the oppressed. It is saying that the world we live in is fundamentally broken with "gross unfairness" and the beauty of Jesus is that he brought us a way through it. Not immunity--but a path (often a hard path) through to the other side.
DeleteWe look forward to the day when all wrongs will ultimately be made right! But we are not there yet.
Jesus will ultimately set right when He returns in glory. All the burdens we have carried throughout our lives, injustices, rebellion, ignorance, and poverty will be visibly and literally settled during the Millennium. The book of Daniel describes how God allowed Judah to go into captivity and the Gentile world powers to rule the world for a time, but ultimately has the last word and writes the last chapter! Then will be fulfilled the prayer of millions of believers over the centuries, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
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