What Was Jesus’ True Purpose?

We live in a culture that is hyper-focused on convenience, and physical and emotional comfort. Everywhere I turn I encounter various enticements to focus on my earthly circumstances. We want relief from all suffering, a more comfortable bed, a mind free of all anxiety and worry, tastier food, more comfy homes and cars, more fun pastimes, and all manner of luxury, pleasure and ease.  Because that is our focus, it is common to assume that Jesus healed and performed miracles primarily out of compassion or to improve lives—and indeed, He did show deep compassion. But Jesus Himself made it clear: the ultimate purpose of His works was not comfort, convenience, or even relief from suffering. It was the glory of God.

Let’s take a look at what Jesus had to say about His true purpose throughout His ministry on the earth.

When Jesus performed His very first miracle, it wasn’t even about physical suffering. His first sign served, in earthly terms, to save someone from public embarrassment.

Jesus did this, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:11

The miracle of water turned to wine is often romanticized, but John notes its true purpose: to manifest Christ’s glory and spark belief. The miracle was a sign—not a favor.

Jesus performed many physical healings but it was not uncommon for Him to clarify His purpose in doing so as we see in Matthew, Chapter 9.

Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!” Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.” So he got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 9:2-8

Jesus doesn’t heal this man just to be nice. Jesus heals to validate His authority. The man walks so that people will know Christ can forgive sins—a far greater need than physical healing.

Consider this episode from the Gospel of John. Jesus is asked about a man born blind. A common misconception was taught by the Pharisees that birth defects and physical ailments were punishments for sin, either the sin of the child or the sin of the parents.

“As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.”

John 9:1-3

Jesus reorients the disciples’ assumptions: the man’s suffering was not the result of personal sin, nor was it a senseless tragedy. It was an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed. The healing was not about the man—it was about God.

Then there was Lazarus. Jesus was a close personal friend of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Here is what John’s Gospel tells us about that.

Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So the sisters sent a message to Him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard it, He said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after that, He said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

John 11:1-7

Jesus gets word that Lazarus is sick but He doesn’t leave right away to go and heal his friend. Why? He tells us in verse 4:

When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11:4

Jesus delayed going to heal Lazarus and Lazarus dies. Jesus knew this would happen. Jesus knew that Lazarus would suffer and die. Jesus knew that Mary and Martha, his close friends, would suffer terrible grief at the loss of their beloved brother. Jesus delays going to Lazarus, allowing him to die—so that the miracle would glorify God even more profoundly. The temporary grief was permitted so that God’s power and Christ’s identity would be unmistakably revealed.

And Jesus views His own suffering in the same light. As the time for the crucifixion approaches, He prays not to be spared but that the name of God would be glorified.

“Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

John 12:27-28

Facing the cross, Jesus prays not for rescue, but for God’s glory. The cross, the ultimate act of suffering, was not a tragedy—it was a glorifying triumph of God’s justice and mercy.

And ultimately, Jesus fulfills His holy mission.

Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, since You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to everyone You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent —Jesus Christ. I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1-5

Jesus sees His life, teachings, miracles, and death as a single completed work—all done to glorify the Father, not Himself, and not merely to improve earthly lives.

Here are some things to reflect on.

1. How often do I focus on God’s glory in my own suffering or healing?
2. Do I seek relief for comfort’s sake—or for God to be glorified through it?
3. Am I willing to patiently tolerate suffering for the glory of God?
4. What would change in my prayer life if I truly believed every circumstance was an opportunity to glorify God and if glorifying God were my highest priority?
5. Am I willing to be part of God’s story—even when it involves waiting, suffering, or mystery?

The key truth to remember is this: Jesus did not come to make life easier. He came to make God known.

Do you want to be more like Jesus? Memorize this verse and make it the centerpiece of your life.

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31