The Mission of the Incarnate Son

Michael Fierro
Jun 15
3 min read

Updated: Jun 21

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When we say that the Son of God has a “mission,” we do not mean that He came into existence or started to be active only at a certain time. The Son is eternal. But in the fullness of time, He was sent by the Father into the world in a new way: by taking on a human nature and becoming visible in history.

A mission, in theological terms, is a new presence of a divine person in time. It is not a change in God, but a change in how God becomes present to us.

Jesus’ mission is the unfolding of the eternal plan of the Father. It is the reason the Word became flesh. And it is revealed not only in His death, but in His life, His words, and His love.

If you’d like a deeper theological explanation of what a “mission” means in the context of the Trinity, you can explore it in Part 4 of my Trinity series.

Christ the New Adam

In Romans 5, St. Paul calls Jesus the “new Adam.” This is not just a poetic comparison. It is a profound theological claim.

Adam was the head of the old humanity. His disobedience brought sin and death into the world.
Christ is the head of a new humanity. His obedience brings life and grace.

Just as Adam’s sin affected all who came after him, Christ’s mission restores what was lost and offers healing to all.

Where Adam grasped for divinity, Christ emptied Himself in humility.Where Adam blamed, Christ took responsibility.Where Adam hid from God, Christ reveals God.

In Christ, we see not only the undoing of sin, but the restoration of what it means to be human.

Prophet, Priest, and King

These three offices, deeply rooted in the Old Testament, are fulfilled perfectly in Jesus.

Prophet

A prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God. Jesus does more than speak for God. He is the Word of God. When He speaks, God speaks.

He preaches the kingdom of God
He reveals the Father’s heart
He teaches with authority, not like the scribes

And unlike the prophets of old, who pointed forward, Jesus points to Himself:“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

Priest

A priest offers sacrifice to God. Jesus is both priest and victim.

He offers Himself on the cross
His sacrifice is perfect and unrepeatable
He intercedes for us continually

The Letter to the Hebrews says that Christ is our great high priest, one who is able to sympathize with our weakness and lead us into the presence of the Father.

King

Jesus is not just a moral leader or spiritual guide. He is King, not by military force, but by divine right.

He rules with justice, mercy, and truth
His crown is of thorns, and His throne is the cross
His kingdom is not of this world, but it claims every heart

Christ’s kingship is about more than power. It is about love that reigns by serving.

The Suffering Servant

In Isaiah’s prophecies, we meet a mysterious figure called the “Suffering Servant” who:

Bears the sins of the people
Is rejected and despised
Is wounded for our transgressions
Makes many righteous through His suffering (Isaiah 53)

Jesus fulfills this role not by accident, but by divine design.

He chooses to suffer. He lays down His life. He takes the worst of human evil and transforms it into the greatest act of love.

On the cross, Jesus does not simply endure pain. He offers Himself. His mission is not just to teach or to heal, but to redeem—and redemption requires sacrifice.