Did Jesus LIVE Just to DIE? Not According to Jesus.
“For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth,” he told Roman governor Pontius Pilate (John 18:37).
Pursuing this mission, he went to all the cities and villages of Israel, “teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 9:35). What would have been the point of doing this if he had come just to die?
Not only that, but he sent out his disciples to do the same—to harvest the abundant crop of Messiah-ready believers whom God had carefully cultivated, preparing them over the centuries since the times of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” Jesus said (Matthew 9:37). He told his disciples, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 10:7).
Jesus wanted the people to follow him while he was on earth, so he could give them life (= salvation), while he was on earth.
How This Helps Us Have a Real Relationship With the Real Jesus
When we realize that Jesus had the colossal goal of evangelizing the entire world during his lifetime, we understand some of the enormous regret he must have felt when his mission was cut short by the cross. Realizing this, our heart beats with his as never before, and we desire to comfort him and help him fulfill his unfinished work.
Spiritual Exercises
Find a place alone—a personal prayer room or corner, a church sanctuary, a park bench, or a forest path—and pray.
● Tell Jesus—even lament loudly—how terribly sorry you are he couldn’t fulfill His heart's desire and bring all the world into the goodness and love of the Almighty Father while he was on earth. Declare to Jesus—three times—that you won't rest until you have done something with your life that will comfort his sorrow and bring people to know the true heart of Jesus.
● To actively participate in spreading the Gospel and building the Kingdom of God on Earth, find ways to share your faith with others. This could involve talking to friends and family about your faith, volunteering at a church or other religious organization, or participating in outreach programs.
● Reflecting on the ongoing nature of Christ’s mission and our role in it, spend time contemplating the unfinished aspects of Jesus’ work—building a world of peace and true love. Journal about how you can contribute to this ongoing mission in your own life and community.
● In the area of identifying and addressing areas of injustice and disharmony in the world, choose one area of disharmony or conflict that resonates with you. Research the issue and identify ways you can contribute to building a more just and loving society—through advocacy, volunteer work, or other actions.