“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven” (John 3:13).

At the Christmas season, even the secular world makes much of the Christ child, born in a manger, but few ever 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. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am 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 is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me” (John 6:38). “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

The last time Christ gives a reason for His coming is also very significant. It refers to His second coming! “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). HMM