The real Jesus was flesh but so much like God that we are told, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3 ESV).

So what was flesh and God doing here in the form of Jesus?  What was his purpose?

Jesus knew what his purpose was: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 ESV).  In another place he said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27 ESV).

Jesus’ coming and purpose was not a last-minute crises plan that had to be put together because God had to figure out what to do after Adam sinned in the garden.  The Bible says that God did this “Because that was his plan from before the beginning of time” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).  In another place, it is described as, “The eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11 ESV).  The plan was so definite that the Bible speaks of it as though it had happened before, not after, the creation of the world: “The Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 ESV).

Jesus’ sacrifice was planned before the beginning of time but it happened at just the right time: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6 ESV).  And it happened, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 ESV).

Jesus came on a mission.  It had been planned since before the world came into existence and it involved “The Only Begotten Son” (John 3:16) coming to earth to ransom human beings from a lost and hopeless existence.  While it had been planned for a long time, it took place at the right time.  And what Jesus did can save all men for all time.

Why would God do that?  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16 KJV).  “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 ESV).

Does this help you see how important you are to God?  Aren’t you glad that THE REAL JESUS WAS ON A MISSION to save you?