1 Tim 1:15 says, “Christ Jesus came into the world…”  This is the season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, presumably.  Why did Christ come into the world?

Christ came to fulfill the promises to Israel – Rom 9:3-5 – he was born King of the Jews [Matt 2:2].  The superscription on his cross read, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  He is the king who will sit on the throne of David and rule the kingdom of heaven.  He didn’t take the throne when he first came.  In Jn 18:36-37, he said, “my kingdom is not of this world… for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”

All the Old Testament prophecies that have not already been fulfilled will be fulfilled right before, when, and after Jesus Christ returns.  You say, the Old Testament is not important to me.  Well, it’s very important to Jesus Christ.  And it’s very important to Israel.  I love to read the Psalms and relish in the thought of Jesus Christ ruling here in the earth.  He’ll be the first ruler to govern the earth the way it is supposed to be ruled.

Christ came to save sinners – 1 Tim 1:15 – Paul said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”  In 1 Tim 1:13, we see that Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious.  Yet, he obtained mercy.  So will you when you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  Thank God he came to save us.

Christ came to help us in temptation – Heb 4:15-16; 2:18 – Paul wrote, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”  To succor is to to help or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress.  Jesus couldn’t have done this for us unless he had taken on flesh and blood as we have and suffered through all the temptations that we must endure.  He knows what we’re going through and he knows how to help us get through it.

Christ came to destroy the devil – Heb 2:14 – Paul wrote, “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”  And in so doing, he will not only destroy the devil, but he will also destroy death [1 Cor 15:25-26].  Jesus could not have destroyed death without going through death.  Therefore, he had to come to this earth as a man to defeat death and the devil.  As a result, those of us who are saved will live forever, just like he is living forever.

Conclusion: when you read the Old Testament just remember that everything prophesied in there concerning Israel will be fulfilled because Jesus Christ came into the world.  When you are overwhelmed by the wickedness in the world and the spiritual apostasy all around you just remember that Jesus Christ came into the world to destroy the devil.  When you are facing death or grieving over a loved one who has died just remember that Jesus Christ came into the world to destroy death.  When you are heavy laden with temptation to sin just remember that Jesus Christ came into the world, faced all the temptations you are going through, and did not sin, so that he could help you and me when we are tempted.  

And right now, if you have not already been saved, remember that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  Will you be saved today?