Why was Jesus sent?

[placebofactor]

Let’s begin with the following: notice that Jesus' earthly ministry had nothing to do with the Gentiles. He explicitly stated that His mission was directed to Israel.
Matthew 15:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
His instructions to the Twelve: Matthew 10:5–6, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles… But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Question: “For what purpose did the Father send his Son to Israel?” It was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy about Israel’s Messiah.
Romans 15:8, “Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” The “circumcision” refers to Israel. His mission confirmed the covenants and prophecies given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

Jesus was sent to call Israel to repentance and prepare them for the kingdom. John the Baptist and Jesus both preached the same message:
Matthew 3:2, John said, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17, Jesus said, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The kingdom was promised to Israel, 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9; Daniel 2, 7.

The prophets foretold that only a remnant of Jews would believe.
Isaiah 10:21–22, “A remnant shall return;” Verse 22, “Yet a remnant of them shall return.”
John 1:11–12, “He (Jesus) came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name:” So, his ministry sifted Israel, revealing who would believe.

He came to offer salvation to Israel first, but later, Paul explains the order, Romans 1:16, “To the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Jesus came to reveal Himself as Israel’s promised King and Shepherd.
Matthew 21:5, “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee…”
Ezekiel 34:23 was a future prophecy, “I will set up one shepherd over them.”

When he comes, he identifies Himself as that Shepherd: John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.”
He came to fulfill the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17, “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. To conclude, His ministry to Israel completed the prophetic requirements of the Messiah.

Question: “Did Jesus’ mission later expand beyond Israel?” It did, but only after His resurrection.
His post-resurrection command: Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”
Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” So, the universal mission came only after His earthly ministry to Israel. And how was he going to accomplish this universal mission? It would be through men like Paul.

[placebofactor]

Let’s begin with the following: notice that Jesus' earthly ministry had nothing to do with the Gentiles. He explicitly stated that His mission was directed to Israel.
Matthew 15:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
His instructions to the Twelve: Matthew 10:5–6, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles… But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Question: “For what purpose did the Father send his Son to Israel?” It was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy about Israel’s Messiah.
Romans 15:8, “Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” The “circumcision” refers to Israel. His mission confirmed the covenants and prophecies given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

Jesus was sent to call Israel to repentance and prepare them for the kingdom. John the Baptist and Jesus both preached the same message:
Matthew 3:2, John said, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17, Jesus said, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The kingdom was promised to Israel, 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9; Daniel 2, 7.

The prophets foretold that only a remnant of Jews would believe.
Isaiah 10:21–22, “A remnant shall return;” Verse 22, “Yet a remnant of them shall return.”
John 1:11–12, “He (Jesus) came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on his name:” So, his ministry sifted Israel, revealing who would believe.

He came to offer salvation to Israel first, but later, Paul explains the order, Romans 1:16, “To the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Jesus came to reveal Himself as Israel’s promised King and Shepherd.
Matthew 21:5, “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee…”
Ezekiel 34:23 was a future prophecy, “I will set up one shepherd over them.”

When he comes, he identifies Himself as that Shepherd: John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.”
He came to fulfill the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17, “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. To conclude, His ministry to Israel completed the prophetic requirements of the Messiah.

Question: “Did Jesus’ mission later expand beyond Israel?” It did, but only after His resurrection.
His post-resurrection command: Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”
Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” So, the universal mission came only after His earthly ministry to Israel. And how was he going to accomplish this universal mission? It would be through men like Paul.

Great Topic!

You said, "Question: “Did Jesus’ mission later expand beyond Israel?” It did, but only after His resurrection."

I believe you are mistaken or maybe it’s just the way in which you are using the word "mission" that I don’t feel aligns.

Jesus’s message and the works he performed all in our Father’s name, was most certainly predominately given to the Jews prior to his resurrection however the center of his mission he was sent to accomplish was for the entire world, to which he preached prior to his resurrection.

John 3: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

And Jesus also said,

Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

This covenant is spoken of in Isaiah 42 to which Gentiles were included in,

42 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Jesus was sent to fulfill YHVH’s covenant to which was for the entire world, Jews and Gentiles alike, his mission was to die on the cross for the sins of the world.

Fruitofthespirit, thanks for your comments. You wrote, “Jesus’s message and the works he performed all in our Father’s name, were most certainly predominantly given to the Jews prior to his resurrection”

And I agree!

You wrote, “However, the center of his mission he was sent to accomplish was for the entire world, to which he preached prior to his resurrection.”

Okay, let’s test that against the verses you quoted. First John 3:15, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

I agree that Jesus’ mission ultimately includes the whole world, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world.” John 4:42, He is called “the Saviour of the world.” And in 1 John 2:2, Jesus is “the propitiation… for the sins of the whole world.” So yes, His mission was universal. But the question is, “Does John 3:15–17 and Matthew 26:26 contradict the idea that Jesus’ earthly mission was directed to Israel before His resurrection?”

I say his earthly preaching was not directed to the entire world. During His earthly ministry, he limited His preaching to Israel. Matthew 15:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 10:5–6, He said to his apostles, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles…” “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Before his resurrection, His focus was Israel, not the world; this is a crucial distinction. Only after rising from the dead does He command preaching to the entire world. He said in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” In Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” And in Luke 24:47, “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached… among all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.”

Now for the verses you quoted. These verses speak about the purpose of His coming, not the scope of His earthly preaching. The Bible keeps those categories distinct. First John 3:15-17:

John 3:14 is the hinge that makes verses 15-17 make sense. It shows the cross is the necessary foundation for salvation, and that the worldwide offer of verses 15–17 is based on a future event. It explains why Jesus could speak of global salvation even though His earthly ministry was still directed to Israel, and fits with Isaiah 42’s two-stage mission: Israel first, then the nations.

JOHN 3:15–17: Jesus' atonement is for all humanity, and that both Jew and Gentile may believe and be saved. But notice, these verses describe why He was sent, not to whom He preached during His earthly ministry. In John 3, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, not to the world at large. And John’s Gospel confirms the distinction, John 1:11, “He came unto his own.” And, John 4:22, “Salvation is of the Jews.”
So, John 3 reveals the universal purpose of His coming, but it does not say He preached to the whole world before His resurrection.

As for MATTHEW 26:26, notice that the atonement was spoken of before it was accomplished. His blood had not yet been shed. This is how prophecy and covenant language work. Jesus often spoke of future events as present realities because they were certain and divinely appointed. For example, John 17:4, Jesus said, “I have finished the work…” he spoke these words before going to the cross. And Romans 4:17, God “calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

As for Isaiah 42: 1-7, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."

So how does Isaiah 42:1-7 fit into this conversation? Isaiah 42:1–7 describes the Messiah’s mission in two stages, first to Israel, then to the nations. When you lay it beside the Gospels, it fits perfectly with the pattern we’ve been tracing. Isaiah says the Servant will bring justice to the Gentiles, be a light to the nations, open blind eyes, release captives, and establish righteousness across the earth. No question, it is a worldwide mission. But he also shows how the mission unfolds.

Isaiah 42 is part of a larger section, chapters 40-55, where God repeatedly says his Servant (Jesus) will restore Israel, bring back Jacob, and be a covenant to the people of Israel, then after that restoration, He becomes a light to the Gentiles. This pattern is explicit in Isaiah 49:5–6: First, “to bring Jacob again to him,” then, “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles.”
So, Isaiah teaches a two-phase mission: first, Israel, then the nations.

[myth-one.com]

Jesus was sent to fulfill YHVH’s covenant to which was for the entire world, Jews and Gentiles alike, his mission was to die on the cross for the sins of the world.

Two "deaths" are defined in the scriptures. Appropriately, they are called the first and second deaths.

The first death is appointed to all humans.

That being the case, Jesus' first death was unavoidable, and did not save anyone.

<=========================================>

What saves us is that the Jewish man, Jesus Christ, lived a sinless life under the first covenant between God and the nation of Israel.

Under that covenant, everlasting life was attained by never committing a sin, as the wages of sin was the second death.

Jesus never sinned; thus He is the only heir unto everlasting life under the original covenant.

God then allowed Jesus to share His inheritance as a free gift to those who accept Him as their Savior from the wages of their sins under the New Testament Covenant!

The only way in which Jesus' death on the cross can be said to save anyone is that it ended an adult human life free from sin and thus created an asset that could be gifted to others -- His inheritance of everlasting life.

[Capbook]

Jesus was sent to fulfill YHVH’s covenant to which was for the entire world, Jews and Gentiles alike, his mission was to die on the cross for the sins of the world.

Two "deaths" are defined in the scriptures. Appropriately, they are called the first and second deaths.

The first death is appointed to all humans.

That being the case, Jesus' first death was unavoidable, and did not save anyone.

<=========================================>

What saves us is that the Jewish man, Jesus Christ, lived a sinless life under the first covenant between God and the nation of Israel.

Under that covenant, everlasting life was attained by never committing a sin, as the wages of sin was the second death.

Jesus never sinned; thus He is the only heir unto everlasting life under the original covenant.

God then allowed Jesus to share His inheritance as a free gift to those who accept Him as their Savior from the wages of their sins under the New Testament Covenant!

The only way in which Jesus' death on the cross can be said to save anyone is that it ended an adult human life free from sin and thus created an asset that could be gifted to others -- His inheritance of everlasting life.

Salvation is a free gift of grace received through faith, not earned by personal works or perfection. Being "free from sin" means we are no longer a slave to sin, this means that while we may still be tempted and may still sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus as He is the propitiation for our sins, the reason why He was sent, and by which our sins will be forgiven. And also we have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist sin and live holy lives, as true faith requires repentance which is a change of heart and mind that leads to a desire to turn away from sin and follow Jesus.
We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

[myth-one.com]

We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

Not according to the scriptures:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Everlasting life is now a gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to whosoever believeth in Jesus -- regardless of their sins.

[OneJack]

We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

Not according to the scriptures:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Everlasting life is now a gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to whosoever believeth in Jesus -- regardless of their sins.

Never did the Lord Jesus teach salvation the way you perceive Paul's teaching in accordance with your own understanding. It is only by coming to and following the Lord Jesus until the end that we are always saved, no more, no less. Paul is not the Savior but the Lord Jesus alone.

[Capbook]

We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

Not according to the scriptures:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Everlasting life is now a gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to whosoever believeth in Jesus -- regardless of their sins.

Yes, grace is a gift from God to unworthy soul, but can we be sure to receive God's grace if we continue living in sin without asking forgiveness and unrepentant myth-one.com?

[myth-one.com]

We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

Not according to the scriptures:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Everlasting life is now a gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to whosoever believeth in Jesus -- regardless of their sins.

Yes, grace is a gift from God to unworthy soul, but can we be sure to receive God's grace if we continue living in sin without asking forgiveness and unrepentant myth-one.com?

Absolutely! Whosoever believeth on Jesus Christ as their Savior shall be saved. Many of these will have died their first death without ever even hearing the name "Jesus Christ."

Every human who ever lived will be resurrected from their first death. Many will accept Jesus as their Savior after their resurrection.

Everyone will have to choose or reject everlasting life.

[OneJack]

We cannot attain eternal life if we continue a life as an unrepentant sinner.

Not according to the scriptures:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

Everlasting life is now a gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to whosoever believeth in Jesus -- regardless of their sins.

Yes, grace is a gift from God to unworthy soul, but can we be sure to receive God's grace if we continue living in sin without asking forgiveness and unrepentant myth-one.com?

Absolutely! Whosoever believeth on Jesus Christ as their Savior shall be saved. Many of these will have died their first death without ever even hearing the name "Jesus Christ."

Every human who ever lived will be resurrected from their first death. Many will accept Jesus as their Savior after their resurrection.

Everyone will have to choose or reject everlasting life.

How does believing in Jesus [as your Savior] grant us salvation? What is the meaning of believing in Jesus? How does that work? What does Jesus prescribe for all to be saved?

[Capbook]

Absolutely! Whosoever believeth on Jesus Christ as their Savior shall be saved. Many of these will have died their first death without ever even hearing the name "Jesus Christ."

May we know the verse where those living in sin continually would receive God's grace?

Every human who ever lived will be resurrected from their first death. Many will accept Jesus as their Savior after their resurrection.

Why are those whom will be resurrected after the 1,000 years have no choice but all deceived by Satan?

Rev 20:5  The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 
Rev 20:7  When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 
Rev 20:8  and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 

Everyone will have to choose or reject everlasting life.
[/quote] I believe not everyone myth-one.com, only those names written in the book of life will live in the new Jerusalem.
Those who lives in sin, the liars, those practice abomination, all unclean cannot enter the holy City myth-one.com.

Rev 21:27  and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

[myth-one.com]

Those who lives in sin, the liars, those practice abomination, all unclean cannot enter the holy City myth-one.com.

Then Jesus Christ is the only human ever qualified to enter the Holy City.


There's going to be a lot of disappointed Christians!

But, of course, that will not happen because sin has nothing to do with salvation!