"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven" (John 3:13).

At Christmas, even the secular world makes much of the Christ child, born in a manger. But few seem to recognize that He had been eternally one with the Father in heaven before He chose to come down. And even fewer stop to learn just why He chose to come down. As a matter of fact, He had much to say on this subject, giving many reasons why He came. Note just a few of them.

The first reference in the New Testament on this great theme, coming from His own lips, is very significant. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17). His total commitment to God's written Word was the first thing He came to confirm!

There are so many reasons He has given for His coming that we can just list a small part of them. But note these especially. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Luke 5:32). "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b).

The last time Christ gives a reason for His coming is also significant. It refers to His second coming! "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12).

Adapted from Dr. Morris' article "Why Jesus Came Down From Heaven" in the December 1999 edition of Days of Praise.

*Dr. Morris (1918-2006) was Founder of the Institute for Creation Research.

Article posted on December 24, 2016.