Why Jesus Came (Part 1): “He Came Unto His Own”

✍️ Draft — Post #1

Why Jesus Came (Part 1): “He Came Unto His Own”

Most Christians, if asked why Jesus came to earth, would answer without hesitation:
“To be my Savior.”

That statement is true — gloriously true — but it may not be complete.

Before Jesus ever died for the sins of the world, before the gospel went out to the nations, and before Gentiles were brought near by grace, Scripture tells us something very specific about who He came to first.

“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”
— John 1:11

John’s words are simple, but they are often read too quickly. Jesus did not arrive as a generic spiritual figure or a timeless symbol of love. He came to a people, within a covenant, under a law, and according to promises already spoken.

This is not a minor detail.

When Jesus sent out the twelve during His earthly ministry, His instructions were unmistakable:

“Go not into the way of the Gentiles… but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
— Matthew 10:5–6

Later, when approached by a Gentile woman seeking help, Jesus said plainly:

“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
— Matthew 15:24

These statements can feel uncomfortable if we’ve been taught that Jesus’ mission was primarily universal from the start. Yet the discomfort comes not from the text, but from our assumptions.

The Gospels present Jesus as Israel’s Messiah — the promised Son of David, born into the law, walking among His own people, calling them to repentance, and keeping the promises foretold by the prophets.

This does not diminish salvation by grace.
It explains its origin.

If Jesus had not come to Israel as their Messiah, there would be no confirmed promises, no fulfilled covenants, and no foundation upon which the gospel could later go out to the nations.

The tragedy of John 1:11 is not merely rejection — it is missed recognition. Israel’s Messiah stood in their midst, fulfilling Scripture, yet largely unreceived.

But Scripture does not end there.

That rejection becomes the turning point through which God reveals something previously hidden — a mystery that would later be made known through the apostle Paul.

Before we can understand salvation for the world, we must first understand why Jesus came to Israel.

That is where the story begins.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting this  blog.

"Hearing The Silence: A Critical Look at God's Silence and Claims of Divine Communication"