Goals

1. Was Jesus aware of His role and task from the start, or was it gradually revealed to Him?

He is the Son of God who accepted human nature. When man fell into sin He and His Father agreed on a plan of salvation (Gen. 3:15). He did not stop to be the Son of God when He became the Son of Man. As a twelve year old boy He already reminded His earthly parents of His task when He said to them, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" He announced His death to His disciples on various occasions through His ministry. A few days before His crucifixion His fear increased, and He wondered if He should ask His Father to save Him from that. He realized, however, that it was for that very purpose that He had come to earth (John 12:27).

2. What were God's main goals when He sent Jesus to earth?

Jesus had to accomplish salvation for sinners objectively, and the Holy Spirit had to lead sinners into that salvation subjectively (John 16:14). The human responses had to be: trusting on what Jesus had done (faith), and showing gratitude for free salvation by living a new life to the honor of God (faith and love). Both faith and love are results of the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts (Eph.2:8, Rom. 8:16, Gal. 5:22).