by Raymond Doward

Created on: October 25, 2009

Jesus' purpose

The beginning text in 1 John 3:8 was the purpose of Jesus when he came to earth to fulfill his Fathers perfect will. This purpose was so strong until even attempts on his life were unsuccessful. The first attempt was by Herod in Matthew chapter 2. Jesus was in a vulnerable position when he was only a young child. This can be an encouragement to us today because whenever we may find ourselves in vulnerable positions, purpose is the protection needed to save our lives. The bible says that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said unto him to take the child and flee into Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus.

In like manner today God will warn his people of things to come. Next we find Jesus all grown up in Luke chapter 4. He comes into the Synagogue as his custom was and reads Isaiah 61 which is a scripture that speaks about him, and as he closed the book all eyes were fastened on him. Next they took him out to the brow of the hill to throw him over head first, but because of purpose he went through the midst of the mob and got away. Scriptures spoke of Jesus' death taking place on the cross because it was not his time to die before the cross. Neither was being thrown over a cliff the way for him to die, purpose prevailed again.

Be not over much wicked neither be thou foolish, why shouldest thou die before thy time (Ecclesiastes 7:17).

My son forget not my law but let thine heart keep my commandments for length of days and long life and peace shall they add to thee (Proverbs 3:1).

The word of God establishes that a person can die before their time and their life can be extended based upon the person. Many people die before God intends for them to do so because of a lack of wisdom. for example a person who decides to drink and drive have violated God's word and the law of the land, and many tragic endings have occurred. Unfortunately God always receives the blame for what a person has decided to do, but God wants all to have long life. Now there are other instances where a person is not at fault, but we do have an enemy the devil who has the power to inflict sickness and disease (John 10:9-10). Many people that were healed were healed as Jesus would cast out spirits of infirmity, deaf and dumb spirits etc. Also sickness happens because of the body aging and going back to the dust (Ecclesiastes 12).

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him and said unto him, thus saith the Lord set thine house in order for thou shall die and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord and said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah saying go, and say to Hezekiah thus saith the Lord the God of David thy father I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years (Isaiah 38:1).

In reading the above text it appears that God wanted to take the life of Hezekiah but that could not be true because he sent Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order. If he wanted him to die he would not have warned him but simply took his life. God tries to warn us today about the dangers lurking and if we heed his warnings then life will be prolonged. Remember James chapter 1 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above and God is no respecter of persons so if he added years to Hezekiah's life , he will do the same for you and me.

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