“But we do see Jesus — made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone — crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering in death.” Hebrews 2:9 HCSB
This is Jesus' main reason, a purpose of coming to earth, to die for our sins. We see in this verse that it was by God’s grace, and he received glory and honor. Because of Jesus obedience to God’s plan He received God’s blessings. This plan of salvation was prophesied by God in the garden to Adam and Eve and was immediately put into motion. But It did not happen right away. It took God about 4000 years to make sure everything was perfect for Jesus’ birth, life, and resurrection.
Salvation is God’s primary objective in our lives. It is the reason why Jesus came. It is 3/5ths of the great commission. Is was Paul’s main objective in his ministry.
The great commission is:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 HCSB
“Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:15-16 HCSB
“He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Luke 24:46-47 HCSB
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” After saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.””
John 20:21-23 HCSB
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
Acts 1:8 HCSB
Paul’s main objective:
“On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.”
1 Thessalonians 2:2 HCSB
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily? ” “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am — except for these chains.””
Acts 26:28-29 HCSB
Salvation was 3/5ths of the great commission, Paul’s main focus in His ministry, and God’s primary objective. But what about the other 2/5ths? If there is a primary objective there usually is a secondary objective. This would be dscipleship! God secondary objective was to help His new followers to learn from Jesus how to follow god. Jesus, after spending 3 years with His disciples told them to go out and make more disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Paul told his disciple Timothy to find more people to train who will train others.
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB
Twice Jesus said it is finished. The first was in John 17 while Jesus is reporting back to God, he said, “I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”
John 17:4 HCSB
During John 17 Jesus is praying to God for His disciples and their disciples who would believe to their word. He has accomplished everything He needed to with His disciples and they were ready to go out and preach salvation and make disciples where the went.
The second time Jesus said it was finished was on the cross right before He died.
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished! ” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30 HCSB
This finished work is our forgiveness of sins.
“He also appointed 12 — He also named them apostles — to be with Him, to send them out to preach,”
Mark 3:14 HCSB
Jesus first wants us to be with Him — salvation. And then go out and preach / train — disciple. As we are going out we need to be staying with Jesus and learning. So first, find salvation. Second, go and make disciples. Learning while you are going. Jesus believes in hands on training. We are not called to find Jesus and hide. But we are called to go!
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