The Uniqueness of Christنموونە

5/Unique in his Purpose

There have been all manner of theories about why Jesus lived, taught, performed acts of power, died at the hands of the Romans or why he came to this world at all, for that matter. Here are seven reasons, most of which he himself gave. 

· to save sinners (Matt 9:13). He fearlessly declared that he did not appear for the righteous. They either don’t need salvation or don’t think they do. Either way the outcome is the same. Only when we confess our need, can we, as sinners, be saved (1 Tim 1:13).

· to serve (Matt 20:28). In spite of his universal authority, Jesus came with the mellow heart of a servant. 

· to give his life as a ransom (Matt 20:28). Earthly leaders often expect their people to die for them: Jesus expected to die for his people. Imagine you have been captured and imprisoned and your country wants to arrange a prisoner exchange. What if they offered a cat in exchange for you? Or twenty captives for you? Or a million dollars? Which one would indicate your true worth and value? Which one would best show how much your people loved you? Now ask these same questions about what Jesus did for you.

· to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Even those of small value in human terms, like a lost coin or a lost lamb (Luke 15:1-10).

· to give abundant life (John 10:10). Unlike those who come to make our lives more miserable, Jesus came to make them more satisfying.

· to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). Jesus said this to the Roman governor. He stood for truth in the face of falsehood and deceit.

· to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Much of the evil in the world has satanic power behind it. Jesus came to destroy this.

To go back to the third purpose, this was only possible because he was both man and God. Only a human being has the right to represent another human being. Only God has the power to do so. In the unique God-man Jesus Christ, the great Rescue was possible. 

One of the greatest examples of sacrificial ransom is the story of Father Maximilian Kolbe. In 1941, he offered to die an excruciating death in Auschwitz concentration camp in the place of Francis Gajowniczek, a father with young children. Pope Paul VI called Kolbe the most glittering figure to emerge from the darkness of Nazism. This is the kind of thing Jesus did for us. 

What next?

Re-read the seven purposes listed above and specifically thank Jesus aloud for how each one has affected your life. (Vocalising is a biblical practice that reinforces the impact of what you are thinking and saying. Psalm 34:1-2; 89:1; Heb 13:15).