If someone asked you why Jesus came to earth, how would you respond? Maybe you’d include some of the points found in the Nicene Creed:
[Jesus], who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
Nicene Creed (a concise ruling on specific doctrinal beliefs, not a comprehensive treatise)
As important as these truths are, is this the whole picture? Was Jesus’ sole purpose of living on earth just to die in our place? If this were the case, and he had finished his mission, why then did he spend 40 days still on earth after his resurrection (Acts 1:3)?
Jesus’ Life
During Jesus’ life, he didn’t just sit idly by, waiting for the day he would die for us. Rather, he called disciples and preached the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” (Matthew 4:17), calling the people to turn from their ways back to God and submit to the reality that God is king. He also interpreted God’s Word the way God intended (Matthew 5:17-20) and demonstrated how to live it out properly. Additionally, he brought healing and welcomed the outcast while chastising some for stubborn neglect of the needy.
After his resurrection, what did Jesus do? “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27), “speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Post-resurrection, Jesus continued to do many of the things he had done before. Jesus’ larger mission, which included atonement for us, was to preach the kingdom of God:
But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Luke 4:43
Kingdom of God
Traditionally, Judaism marks the first mention of God’s kingdom in Exodus 15. After God brought the people through the Red Sea, they ended their song with “The LORD will reign forever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). If God is reigning, then he must have a domain he’s reigning over. In Exodus 19, this idea is clarified:
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Exodus 19:5-6
It isn’t enough that God runs the world; he wants to partner with us as priests to further his rule, as we submit to him. In the gospels, the terms “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” are used interchangeably. “Heaven” was a proxy word to refer to God’s holy name. God wants people to bring heaven to earth.
Jesus’ teaching of the kingdom of God demonstrated what it looks like to live under God’s reign. This kingdom would be explosive and radical to the world. He called disciples and had three years of ministry living as an example of how his followers should live. After his resurrection, it was time to pass the baton. Jesus’ atoning work was forever done, but the advancement of the kingdom was just beginning.
Living for God
In a post-resurrection era, our job is to further God’s reign and continue bringing heaven to earth:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Through the help of the Holy Spirit, in community, we can make heaven a reality here and now. We are not to sit idly waiting for the day of Christ’s return. He has given us a mission:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus didn’t say just to make converts. That’s an important start, including baptism and repentance. Rather, our goal is to continue Jesus’ mission: living out the good news of God’s kingdom and teaching others to live like Jesus. We are to be his hands and feet in this world, a kingdom of priests he partners with as he reigns over heaven and earth.