Jesus' True Purpose: Building a Relationship, Not a Religion

Was Jesus calling the Jews and the non-Jews to a new religion, or was He inviting everyone to a relationship with God as God incarnated? As we explore the scriptures, we find that Jesus' message was not about establishing a new religious system but about fostering a personal relationship with God. Let’s examine the evidence from the Bible that supports this understanding.

Jesus’ Mission to All People:

Firstly, it is important to recognize that Jesus’ mission was inclusive of all people, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul emphasizes this universal invitation in Ephesians 3:6, where he describes the mystery of Christ being revealed to the Gentiles as fellow heirs and members of the same body:

Ephesians 3:6 (NIV): “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

This demonstrates that Jesus did not come to establish a new religion for a select group but to invite all humanity into a relationship with God through Him.

Jesus’ Questions to His Disciples:

Additionally, Jesus’ approach was deeply personal. When He asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15), He focused on personal belief and recognition of His divine identity, rather than on adherence to religious laws:

Matthew 16:15 (NIV): “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter’s response, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” underscores the importance of personal acknowledgment of Jesus’ identity and mission, rather than mere ritualistic observance.

Relationship Over Rituals:

Furthermore, Jesus emphasized a relationship with God over ritualistic practices. The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) highlights that love for God and neighbor is central to the faith, showing that the essence of Christianity is love, not ritual:

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV): “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Moreover, Jesus spoke about worshiping God in spirit and truth rather than adhering to specific locations or rituals, as seen in John 4:23-24:

John 4:23-24 (NIV): “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

This underscores that worship and relationship with God are more about authenticity than external observance.

New Covenant:

The New Covenant, foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled through Jesus, emphasizes internal transformation and a personal relationship with God. This is supported by Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 8:10:

Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV): “‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

Hebrews 8:10 (NIV): “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Faith Over Works:

Finally, the New Testament consistently emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, not through works or rituals. Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 highlight this crucial aspect:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Titus 3:5 (NIV): “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Conclusion:

In summary, Jesus was not calling people to a new religion but inviting them into a personal relationship with God. Through His teachings, He focused on love, personal faith, and internal transformation rather than ritualistic observances.

If you do not have a relationship with God, you are invited to accept Jesus' invitation by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that He is Lord and Savior. This is the essence of what it means to embrace Christianity—accepting Jesus Christ as the way to a restored relationship with God, rather than adhering to external religious rituals.