The Sending of the Son refers to the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent by the Father into the world to accomplish the work of salvation. This central tenet of Christian theology underscores the incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the Sending of the Son is rooted in numerous passages throughout the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus frequently speaks of being sent by the Father. John 3:16-17 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." This passage highlights the purpose of the sending: salvation and eternal life for believers.

In John 5:36-37 , Jesus affirms His divine mission: "But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me." Here, Jesus emphasizes that His works and the Father's testimony confirm His divine sending.

Incarnation and Mission

The Sending of the Son is intricately linked to the doctrine of the Incarnation, where the Word became flesh (John 1:14). Philippians 2:6-7 describes this self-emptying: "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." The Incarnation is the means by which the Son enters the world, fully God and fully man, to fulfill His mission.

Atonement and Sacrifice

Central to the Sending of the Son is the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Romans 8:3 explains, "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh." The sacrificial death of Jesus is the culmination of His mission, providing the means for reconciliation between God and humanity.

Resurrection and Ascension

The resurrection and ascension of Jesus are also integral to the Sending of the Son. Romans 1:4 declares, "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection vindicates Jesus' divine identity and mission, while the ascension marks His return to the Father, having completed the work He was sent to do.

Continued Mission through the Church

The Sending of the Son extends to the mission of the Church. In John 20:21 , Jesus commissions His disciples, saying, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you." The Church is called to continue the mission of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

Theological Significance

The Sending of the Son is a profound expression of God's love and grace. It reveals the unity and purpose within the Trinity, as the Father sends the Son, and the Son willingly undertakes the mission of redemption. This divine sending is foundational to understanding the nature of God, the work of Christ, and the calling of the Church in the world.