Lesson Two Jesus, the Son of God: The Mission By: Scott Spencer Theme Scripture: For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which is lost (Luke 19:10). Lesson Aim: To teach the purpose and relevance of Jesus obedience unto God and His willingness to die for man s sins. In the fascinating world of marketing, one quickly learns that successful companies are mission-minded and goal-oriented. As a result of being missionminded, mission statements are created that help the consumer identify and associate the business with their needs. That is why mission statements are created. Let us consider a few Fortune 500 company mission statements: Aflac Mission Statement: To combine aggressive strategic marketing with quality products and services at competitive prices to provide the best insurance value for consumers. Nike, Inc. Mission Statement: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. CVS Corporation Mission Statement: We will be the easiest pharmacy retailer for customers to use. Although not specifically stated on the Fort Hill webpage, the mission of Fort Hill can be found in the Welcome. It reads the primary focus of the Fort Hill experience will always be on the spiritual development of youth. The camp is 1
governed and operated by Christian men and women. Bible classes, devotionals, special speakers, and the opportunity to share life's victories and difficulties with fellow Christians all contribute to making Fort Hill a very special place. The Fort Hill slogan is One may observe that the previous examples are of secular and spiritual entities, but what about individuals? Can a man have a mission? More specifically, did Jesus have a mission? The Bible is abundantly clear regarding this matter. Jesus was a man of many goals. In this exercise, let us consider the various goals of Jesus. Jesus as a Youth Before Jesus ever took His first breath, big news about His birth was proclaimed by faithful prophets. It was the prophet Isaiah who proclaimed, For unto us a child is born, a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to order and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, and even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isa.9:6-7). Earlier Isaiah exclaimed, Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isa.7:14). The word Immanuel literally means God with us (Mt.1:23). From the prophet s perspective, there was an expected and anticipated purpose for Jesus arrival. As Paul expressed, He came at the right season and for the right reason (Rom.5:6). Jesus was more than just someone s son; He was God s Son and came to do God s will. 2
As we fast forward to Jesus birth and examine the finer details surrounding it, we are able to see Jesus mission among mankind. Consider Matthew s account, Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins (Mt.1:18-21). God dismissed any doubts that Joseph may have had about Mary and the future by stating Jesus mission: to save man from his sins. In the very next frame, we see Joseph doing as he was commanded. He took Mary to be his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her first born Son. And he called His name Jesus (Mt.1:24-25). Joseph, like all Jews had been looking for the redemption of and salvation of Israel (Lk.2:38). What an honor for the carpenter to play such a vital role in protecting and providing for God s very own Son, who was to take away the sins of the world (Jn.1:29). When Jesus was twelve years old, He and His family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover (Lk.2:41). This custom had been ingrained in the Jewish people for centuries (Ex.12:1-48). The journey would have begun in Nazareth where Jesus was reared as a boy. Traveling caravans of fellow worshippers was not uncommon (Lk.2:44). After the feast was observed, Jesus family gathered their belongings and headed back home to Nazareth. They traveled an entire day, and came to a very disturbing realization; Jesus was missing (Lk.2:45). As parents, this had to be a horrific experience for Joseph and Mary. Although Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem, He was in His element as the Son of God. Luke depicts Him among the teachers both listening and asking questions. 3
When Jesus was asked questions, those who heard Him were astonished at His answers (Lk.2:46-47). After a three day search, Jesus parents finally found Him. One can only imagine how His parents felt. Mary s tone seems quite sharp when she questioned Jesus, Son, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously (Lk.2:48). Any parent can relate to Mary s remarks. A lost child equals a lost mind for any loving parent! Without missing a beat, Jesus revealed His mission to His earthly parents. Why do you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father s business (Lk.2:49). This is a very clear and definitive moment regarding Jesus mission. At the age of twelve, He knew God was His father. He knew that He had come to this place we call earth, to do all the Father had sent Him to do. Jesus as an Adult Jesus would grow from a boy to a man with no other goal in mind than to obey God and please Him with His life. I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me (Jn.5:30). For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me (Jn.6:38). Jesus taught His disciples the importance of obedience unto the Father and what that represented, For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother (Mt.12:50). Jesus would teach His disciples to pray with an urgency of wanting God s will to be done, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt.6:9-10). Jesus was completely obedient to God in every manner of His life. As a matter of fact, we can conclude that total obedience unto God was His main objective. Under the umbrella of obedience unto God and being entirely pleasing to Him, there were many episodes where Jesus obedience was demonstrated and tested. Jesus Baptism Prior to Jesus ministry, we see Him coming to John the Immersing One for no other reason than to be baptized (Mt.3:13-17; Mk.1:9-11; Lk.3:21-22; Jn. 1:29-34). 4
John was a powerful preacher. He would never fit in the PC (politically correct) crowds that exist in our modern times. His message was one of repentance and confession of sin, rather than appeasement and assimilation (Lk.3:7-14). However, when Jesus went to John, He had no sins that required absolution (2Cor.5:21). Clearly, John s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mk.1:4). Inquiring minds wants to know why Jesus went to John to be baptized. Jesus provides us with the answer; it was, to fulfill righteousness (Mt.3:15). In other words, it was what God commanded His Son to do and as an act of love and obedience unto God, Jesus was gladly baptized by John the Immersing One. What about God s reaction and response concerning Jesus act of obedience? We learn that a voice came from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Mt.3:17). Jesus Temptations After Jesus baptism and prior to His ministry, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil (Mt.4:1). Jesus fasted forty days and nights, and then suddenly when His human condition was vulnerable, Satan tempted Him. If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread (Mt.4:3). Imagine that. The Devil knows when we are weak and vulnerable. He knows just when and where to strike. However, Jesus rebuffed Satan s attempt to tempt with a powerful reply, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Mt.4:4). When we are not tempted, we would do well to rehearse and recite God s Word. When we are tempted, we would do well to remember and recite God s Word. Such was the pattern our Lord provided for us when tempted. Jesus was tempted three times during that episode in the wilderness, and all three times Jesus recited scripture (Dt.8:3; Dt.6:16; Dt.6:13). Jesus Passion There is not a single event in the Bible that taxes man s emotions more so than the passion of Christ. Jesus lived a sinless life, a selfless life and He died a criminal s death. Philipp the evangelist exclaimed to the Ethiopian as he read from 5
the prophet Isaiah, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away (Acts 8:31-32). Encountering the cross was difficult for Christ. Our minds reflect back to the hours before his arrest in that Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew His time of departure was near, and His humanistic self cried out for the cup of pain and suffering to be avoided somehow and some way. But without the death of Jesus, man would have had no hope of eternal life; knowing this, Jesus concluded His prayer to His Father, not My will, but Yours be done (Lk.22:41). With those words, Jesus went to cross and died for the sins of mankind, perhaps offering us one of the greatest mission statements, For the Son of Man has not come to be served, but rather to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mt.20:28). Examine Thyself (2Cor.13:5) What have we learned? We have learned that the ultimate goal of Jesus was to do His Father s Will. We observed various events in Jesus life that revealed Jesus joy came from pleasing His Father by way of obedience. Let us not forget that God the Father was pleased with Jesus obedience as well. Is pleasing God your ultimate goal in life? If it s not, it should be. When you consider topics like salvation, have you humbly accepted Jesus pattern of obedience and obeyed the gospel (Mk.16:16)? Jesus wasn t baptized for the remission of sin, but He lived a perfect life and died a sinner s death wherein man could respond in faith to the gospel and be saved. When dealing with temptation, Jesus was committed to being faithful to God. His greatest weapon in defeating the Devil was with a sword, the Word of God (Eph.6:17). How well do know your Bible? When tempted, would you know how to respond to it without knowing the Holy Scriptures? Just say no is a good slogan, but the child of God must know why he or she is saying no. Perhaps a good place to begin with a response is, No, because God said, or No, because the Bible teaches us 6
Ultimately, our happiness hinges on God s pleasure with us. Our mission must be like Jesus in that He aimed to please His Father. May we all make it our mission in life to be pleasing to God! 7