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.

[OneJack]

Do you know that the bible is not Jesus?

Not only is the Bible not Jesus, it was not inspired by Jesus either.

It was inspired by God:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (II Timothy 3:16)

Paul is not God, is he? 'Inspired by God' means allowed by God to be written, no more, no less. Also, you absolutely do not know Jesus by your phrase, 'Not only is the Bible not Jesus, it was not inspired by Jesus either. It was inspired by God:'.... Don't you know that the name of the Almighty God is Immanuel, or Mighty God, or Eternal Father, or Jesus?

[OneJack]

[Replying to OneJack in post #23]

@OneJack, here is what the Word of God says in response to your observation:

Eph 4:1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 
Eph 4:2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 
Eph 4:3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
Eph 4:4  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 
Eph 4:5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
Eph 4:6  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
Eph 4:7  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift....
Eph 4:11  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 
Eph 4:12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 
Eph 4:13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 
Eph 4:14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 
Eph 4:15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 
Eph 4:16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

Why do you want to separate yourself from the church that follows Jesus? In doing so, you fail to avail yourself of great growth experiences. Why?

Am I the one separating myself from the church of the Lord, or you, wittingly or unwittingly? Don't you know that the Lord Jesus alone is the Good Shepherd and Teacher in His flock, across all generations? Come to and call on the Lord Jesus so that He can put you in His flock, shepherd, and guide you to your salvation and eternal life. The bible plays no important role in this regard, except to point you to the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ is not the Bible that you always use to give life to Christianity through its pages.

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to OneJack in post #32]

However, the Lord Jesus uses his Word, the Bible, to strengthen his people in many ways, @OneJack. That spirit has led you away from him and his Word, sadly.

[OneJack]

[Replying to OneJack in post #32]

However, the Lord Jesus uses his Word, the Bible, to strengthen his people in many ways, @OneJack. That spirit has led you away from him and his Word, sadly.

Don’t you know the sin of bibliolatry, which you are now committing against God? The Lord Jesus draws us nigh to Himself and has freed us from the bondage of confinement to the bible, which you overmagnified as the Word of God.

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to OneJack in post #34]

Please be careful who you accuse of sin, @OneJack, because, since I am a saved sinner, I follow the Bible's own teachings. If you are wrong in rejecting its inspiration, you might be guilty when you point at others in your accusation. However, I follow the following teaching; all you have is the teaching of someone who is probably a false Messiah, who has led you astray:

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 
Psa 19:8  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 
Psa 19:9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 
Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 
Psa 19:11  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 
Psa 19:12  Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 
Psa 19:13  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 
Psa 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 

Psa_119:9  Beth How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psa_119:11  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psa_119:16  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psa_119:17  Gimel Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Psa_119:25  Daleth My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
Psa_119:28  My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
Psa_119:42  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
Psa_119:43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
Psa_119:49  Zayin Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.
Psa_119:65  Teth You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.
Psa_119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
Psa_119:74  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
Psa_119:81  Kaph My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
Psa_119:89  Lamedh Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psa_119:101  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
Psa_119:105  Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psa_119:107  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
Psa_119:114  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psa_119:160  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Psa_119:162  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
Psa_119:169  Taw Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!
Psa_119:170  Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.
Psa_119:172  My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
Psa_138:2  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

[OneJack]

[Replying to OneJack in post #34]

Please be careful who you accuse of sin, @OneJack, because, since I am a saved sinner,

The real and eternally living Christ Jesus alone, who is always beside you, is the only one who can say who is saved, and who is not, not you, not me, not them out there. Your opinion about salvation is not biblical and not in accordance with the Lord's teaching in the bible. See Matt 19:21 and Matt 11:28-29 on how you will be saved.

I follow the Bible's own teachings.

Christians follow no one but the real and eternally living Christ Jesus alone, who is always beside you, though you do not yet see Him. On the flip side of a coin, Bibliolaters follow nothing but the bible alone: hence, the sin and bondage to bibliolatry, as is idolatry. Choose the real and eternally living Christ Jesus; come to and call on Him so that He can put you in His flock, and shepherd and guide you to your salvation and eternal life.

If you are wrong in rejecting its inspiration, you might be guilty when you point at others in your accusation. However, I follow the following teaching; all you have is the teaching of someone who is probably a false Messiah, who has led you astray:

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 
Psa 19:8  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 
Psa 19:9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 
Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 
Psa 19:11  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 
Psa 19:12  Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 
Psa 19:13  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 
Psa 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 

Psa_119:9  Beth How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psa_119:11  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psa_119:16  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psa_119:17  Gimel Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Psa_119:25  Daleth My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
Psa_119:28  My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
Psa_119:42  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
Psa_119:43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
Psa_119:49  Zayin Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.
Psa_119:65  Teth You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.
Psa_119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
Psa_119:74  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
Psa_119:81  Kaph My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
Psa_119:89  Lamedh Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psa_119:101  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
Psa_119:105  Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psa_119:107  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
Psa_119:114  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psa_119:160  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Psa_119:162  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
Psa_119:169  Taw Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!
Psa_119:170  Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.
Psa_119:172  My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
Psa_138:2  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

How could the Lord Jesus be the false Messiah when He clearly identified Himself to us through the following narrative, to wit:

"All of you who are listening, listen carefully! I am your Lord God. Who are you afraid of? I am the Almighty. Who are you intimidated by? Remember, when I am by your side, you have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about, because I will save you from any calamity if you trust in Me and regard Me as your salvation and eternal life. As your Lord, whom you alone will worship and none other, I am the one true God existing in heaven, earth, or universe. I created all things, I gave you life. Where will you go? If not to Me, you have nowhere else to go.

Remember, eternal life and your salvation are in My hands. If you want to be saved, come and draw near to Me. If you want eternal life, come and call upon Me. Trust in Me, because if you don't, you will have no salvation and no eternal life. You will have nowhere to go but to calamity and suffering. But if you draw near to Me, you will attain nothing but peace – peace if you accept it, if you trust in Me, if you believe in Me with all your heart and all your love. Love Me with all your heart, and worship none other but Me, the one and only Lord."

Unfortunately, you're not privy to the words of the Lord due to your profound bondage to bibliolatry; hence, you can't recognize the Lord's words when they are shared with you by any means available today.

[myth-one.com]

Unfortunately, you're not privy to the words of the Lord due to your profound bondage to bibliolatry; hence, you can't recognize the Lord's words when they are shared with you by any means available today.

And who gives you authority to restrict access to the words of the Lord?

[OneJack]

Unfortunately, you're not privy to the words of the Lord due to your profound bondage to bibliolatry; hence, you can't recognize the Lord's words when they are shared with you by any means available today.

And who gives you authority to restrict access to the words of the Lord?

Am I restricting access to the words of the Lord when the same can only be found in the Lord Himself? No one has access to the words of the Lord but the Lord Himself; hence, anyone who wants to hear the words of the Lord needs to come to and call on the Lord and wait for Him to respond [to his/her call].

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to OneJack in post #36]

I will not "draw near" to any god who denies the truth of the Scriptures, @OneJack. You haven't answered my presentation of the verses from Psalms 19 and 119 that clearly say that God is with us to guide us through his Word, the Bible. Why don't you want to respond to those clear passages?

[OneJack]

[Replying to OneJack in post #36]

I will not "draw near" to any god who denies the truth of the Scriptures, @OneJack. You haven't answered my presentation of the verses from Psalms 19 and 119 that clearly say that God is with us to guide us through his Word, the Bible. Why don't you want to respond to those clear passages?

Why will you draw to any god when the Lord Jesus is always beside you, though you don't see Him momentarily? The truth resides only in the Lord, not in the bible. The phrase, 'your words,' in all the verses you posted were the very words that came out from the mouth of the Lord that the recipient heard from Him, not the words which are written in the bible today. Your phrase, 'His Word, the bible' is only your opinion, not the Lord's.