What was the Mission of Jesus?

What was the Mission of Jesus?

The mission of Jesus is the central theme of Christianity, rooted in the eternal plan of God to redeem humanity and reveal His love, mercy, and justice. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection form the cornerstone of this mission, addressing not only humanity’s greatest needs but also the cosmic conflict between good and evil. By exploring the key elements of His mission, we gain a deeper understanding of how Jesus fulfilled God’s purposes and how His work continues today.

Proclaiming the Kingdom of God

At the heart of Jesus’ mission was His proclamation of the Kingdom of God. He began His public ministry with the powerful declaration (Matthew 4:17, NKJV):

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This statement was both an invitation and a challenge, calling people to turn from sin and embrace a new relationship with God.

When Jesus declared that the Kingdom of Heaven was “at hand,” He emphasised its immediacy and accessibility. No longer a distant hope, the Kingdom became a present reality through His life and ministry. It represented the fulfilment of God’s promises, ushering in a new covenant where grace and mercy were extended to all who believed.

Repentance was a central theme of this message. Jesus called individuals to recognise their sin, turn toward God, and experience the transformation of forgiveness. As Peter later preached (Acts 3:19, NKJV),

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

This invitation marked a profound change of heart and life direction, preparing individuals to enter the Kingdom.

The Kingdom also brought hope to a broken world. Jesus’ teachings and miracles revealed its nature—a realm of justice, peace, and restoration. He proclaimed a vision of wholeness and reconciliation, offering love and mercy to all. As He declared in John 14:6 (NKJV),

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”

Through His ministry, Jesus opened the door to God’s eternal Kingdom for everyone who believed.

Jesus Mission to Reveal the Father’s Character

One of the most profound aspects of Jesus’ mission was revealing the true nature and character of the Father. In John 14:9 (NKJV), Jesus said to Philip,

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father”.

Through His words, actions, and demeanour, Jesus demonstrated that God is not distant or unapproachable, but loving, merciful, and intimately concerned with humanity.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasised the Father’s love for all people. In John 3:16 (NKJV), He declared,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” .

This verse encapsulates the Father’s selfless love, expressed through the gift of His Son. Jesus’ mission was to make this love visible and tangible, showing that God desires a personal relationship with every individual.

Jesus’ interactions with people were powerful demonstrations of the Father’s character. For example, when the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, seeking to condemn her, He said in John 8:11 (NKJV),

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more”.

This response revealed God’s mercy and grace, showing that He does not delight in condemnation but in restoration. Similarly, in Luke 19:10 (NKJV), Jesus stated,

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

This passage highlights the mission of the Father and Jesus to reconcile sinners to Himself.

The Father’s compassion for humanity is also evident in Jesus’ parables. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) vividly illustrates God’s longing to welcome His wayward children back into His arms. In this story, the father’s joy upon his son’s return reflects the heart of God, who celebrates whenever a sinner repents. Jesus concluded the parable with the powerful words in Luke 15:32 (NKJV),

It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.

Jesus’ ultimate revelation of the Father’s character came through His sacrificial death on the cross. In this act, the love, mercy, and justice of God were fully displayed. In Romans 5:8 (NKJV) Paul writes,

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

By willingly laying down His life, Jesus showed the extent of the Father’s love and His desire to redeem humanity.

In His final prayer in John 17:4 (NKJV) before His crucifixion, Jesus summarised His mission, saying,

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

The glory of the Father—His goodness, grace, and love—was revealed through every aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Through Jesus, we see the Father as He truly is: a God of love, compassion, and justice who desires a relationship with each of us. This revelation invites us to draw near to Him, confident in His mercy and grace.

A Mission of Healing and Compassion

Jesus’ ministry of healing and compassion was a profound expression of His divine nature and His empathy for human suffering. Everywhere He went, Jesus brought hope and restoration, embodying the heart of God toward those in need. The Gospels record numerous instances of Jesus healing physical ailments. In one such account (Matthew 8:2-3, NKJV), a man with leprosy approached Him and said,

'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed'.

This act was not only a demonstration of His divine power but also of His willingness to engage with the outcasts of society. Lepers were considered untouchable, yet Jesus broke societal norms to show that God’s love knows no boundaries.

Jesus also addressed spiritual suffering. When He healed a paralytic (Mark 2:5, NKJV), He began by saying,

Son, your sins are forgiven you

This statement shocked the religious leaders but revealed a deeper truth: Jesus’ healings pointed to His authority to forgive sins and restore spiritual wholeness. By connecting physical and spiritual healing, Jesus demonstrated that true restoration comes from being reconciled to God.

Compassion was the driving force behind Jesus’ ministry. When He saw a large crowd (Mark 6:34, NKJV), He;

was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

His compassion extended to their spiritual hunger, as well as their physical needs, as evidenced by His miraculous feeding of the five thousand.

Jesus’ healing ministry also illustrated the breaking in of God’s Kingdom. In Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV), Jesus proclaimed,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

His healings were signs of the Kingdom’s power, offering glimpses of the ultimate restoration that God will bring to all creation.

One of the most touching examples of Jesus’ compassion is found in the story of the widow of Nain. As Jesus approached the town, He saw a funeral procession for the woman’s only son. The Gospel of Luke 7:13-15 (NKJV) says,

“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak”

This miracle not only restored a life but also brought hope to a grieving mother, revealing the tender heart of God.

Through His healing ministry, Jesus also empowered His followers to continue this work. In Matthew 10:8 (NKJV) He instructed His disciples,

'Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give'.

This command reflects the ongoing nature of His mission, calling believers to act with the same compassion and power that He demonstrated.

In every act of healing, Jesus showed the depth of God’s love and His desire to restore what is broken. His compassion challenges us to extend His love to others, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. As we reflect on His example, we are reminded of the words in Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV);

'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin'.

Jesus understands our struggles and enters into our suffering, offering both healing and hope.

Teaching and Discipleship

Jesus’ teachings formed the foundation of His mission, presenting a radical vision of the Kingdom of God. In John 18:36 (NKJV) He declared,

My kingdom is not of this world'.

Jesus’ emphasis on the spiritual nature of His mission stood in stark contrast to the conventional ideas of His time. His parables and teachings often challenged societal norms, turning them upside down. Highlighting the Kingdom’s focus on humility and servanthood rather than worldly power and ambition, in Matthew 20:16 (NKJV) Jesus declared;

So the last will be first, and the first last.

In addition to teaching, Jesus devoted Himself to discipling others. He called twelve individuals to follow Him closely, teaching them not only through words but by His actions. These disciples witnessed His compassion, humility, and power firsthand. For example, at the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15, NKJV), saying,

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

This act of servanthood reinforced the principles of humility and love central to His Kingdom.

Jesus also prepared His disciples to continue His mission after His departure. In His final recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) words to them, He commanded;

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”

This Great Commission established their role as ambassadors of His Kingdom, entrusted with spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The empowerment of His disciples was integral to the continuation of His mission. Before His ascension, we see in Acts 1:8 (NKJV) Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit, saying,

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

This assurance of divine presence and guidance equipped them for the challenges ahead, enabling them to carry forward His teachings and build the church.

Through His teaching and discipleship, Jesus laid a foundation for a Kingdom that transcends time and space. His words and example continue to inspire believers to live lives marked by humility, love, and obedience to God.

Fulfilling Prophecy

The fulfilment of prophecy was a cornerstone of Jesus’ mission, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah. His life, death, and resurrection were inextricably linked to the Old Testament scriptures, which foretold His coming and mission.

When Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue (Luke 4:18-19, NKJV), He boldly declared;

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord

After reading this, He concluded in Luke 4:21 (NKJV);

Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

This moment was a public declaration of His divine mission and the fulfilment of the messianic prophecy. From His birth, Jesus fulfilled prophetic words. Matthew writes (Matthew 1:22-23, NKJV),

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’

His lineage, birthplace in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and even the timing of His arrival align with the promises of Scripture. The continuity of God’s plan is beautifully illustrated in Jesus’ own teachings. Speaking to His disciples, He said (Luke 24:44, NKJV),

“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me

His life connected the covenants of old with the new reality of the Kingdom He came to establish.

This fulfilment also demonstrated God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. From the promise in Genesis 3:15 of a Redeemer who would crush the serpent’s head, to Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant (Isaiah 53), Jesus’ mission was the culmination of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. His fulfilment of prophecy provides assurance to believers that God’s Word is true and His promises are certain.

Confronting the Great Controversy

The confrontation between Jesus and Satan highlights the cosmic battle between good and evil—a central theme of the great controversy. This battle was most vividly displayed during Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. After fasting for forty days, Satan approached Him, tempting Him to misuse His divine power. To the suggestion that He turn stones into bread, Jesus replied in Matthew 4:4 (NKJV),

It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’.

This response demonstrated Jesus’ reliance on Scripture and obedience to God’s will.

Satan also tempted Jesus to test God by throwing Himself off the pinnacle of the temple. Again, Jesus responded (Matthew 4:7, NKJV),

It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’.

Finally, when Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship (Matthew 4:10, NKJV), Jesus rebuked him:

Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’.

In every instance, Jesus used Scripture to expose Satan’s lies and to reaffirm God’s sovereignty.

The great controversy extended to Jesus’ entire ministry, as He consistently refuted the accusations of Satan and revealed the true character of God. On the cross, Jesus achieved the ultimate victory. Paul writes (Colossians 2:15, NKJV),

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

The cross and resurrection declared that sin and death had been defeated, affirming God’s justice and love in the face of Satan’s rebellion.

This victory in the great controversy gives hope to believers today. As Jesus said (John 16:33, NKJV),

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

His triumph assures us that God’s plan for redemption will prevail.

Redemption Through Sacrifice

The heart of Jesus’ mission was His sacrificial death on the cross, which made reconciliation between God and humanity possible. Through His death, Jesus bore the penalty of sin for all mankind. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV),

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The cross was the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. Consider Romans 5:8 (NKJV),

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This sacrificial act bridged the gap created by sin, restoring the relationship between God and humanity. On the cross, Jesus cried out (John 19:30, NKJV),

“It is finished!”

These words signifying the completion of His redemptive work.

His resurrection was equally vital, as it confirmed His victory over sin and death. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NKJV) Paul exclaims;

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

By rising from the dead, Jesus secured eternal life for all who believe in Him. And through His sacrifice, Jesus invites believers to live transformed lives. Paul declares (Galatians 2:20, NKJV),

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

His redemption empowers us to live in freedom, no longer bound by sin but alive to God.

Empowering Believers

Before His ascension, Jesus promised His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, NKJV), who would empower them to continue His mission. He said,

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

This promise assured His followers that they would not be alone in spreading the Gospel. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live transformed lives. In John 14:26 (NKJV), Jesus explained;

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

This guidance enables believers to discern truth, overcome sin, and bear witness to Christ in their lives. The Spirit also unites believers, forming the body of Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NKJV),

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body”.

This unity equips the church to fulfil its mission with love and harmony. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered with spiritual gifts for ministry. As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12, (NKJV);

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.

These gifts ensure that the work of Christ continues, building up the church and extending His Kingdom.

Conclusion

The mission of Jesus encompasses the proclamation of God’s Kingdom, the revelation of His character, acts of healing and compassion, the fulfilment of prophecy, victory in the great controversy, redemption through sacrifice, and the empowerment of believers. Each aspect of His mission reflects God’s profound love and faithfulness, inviting us to participate in His ongoing work.

As we reflect on Jesus’ life and mission, we are called to live as His disciples—proclaiming His Kingdom, extending His compassion, and sharing His love with the world. In doing so, we carry forward His eternal purpose, bringing light to a world in need of hope and redemption.