“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” Luke 2:41-52

What was the purpose of Jesus’ life? Many have attempted to answer this question – especially within the Christian tradition. One view is to understand Jesus’ life as an emphasis on Redemption. This view begins with Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience and fundamental alienation from G-d. This alienation is so profound that G-d had to intervene – God’s very self had to intervene to overcome that alienation. Redemption then is the extraordinary effort of G-d, by G-d to buy us back.

Some emphasize Jesus making up for our sinfulness. The passion and death of the Son is demanded by an Angry G-d so the Son’s suffering is a necessary redemptive act. There is one additional Christian tradition — another perspective on the purpose of Jesus’ life. This View emphasizes the Incarnation – the creation of Life: animals, plants, and people were created, with all of creation, as part of G-d’s purpose through Jesus’ death and resurrection. If we view the passion of Jesus through this lens, then Jesus’ life and purpose are not an afterthought.

From this perspective G-d is not an angry G-d demanding the suffering and death of Jesus as payment for past sin. Instead G-d is a gracious G-d sharing “Divine” life and love in and through creation including sending the Son.

So why? Why Jesus? Because he is G-d incarnate – He is G-d come in human flesh – sharing full humanity with all people. And by proclaiming the reign of G-d through His life, the powers of Rome put him to death. During Lent ponder this question: what does the life of Jesus and His Passion mean to you?

Pastor Dave