Born to Reveal the Truth

John 18:33-38

This is more of a road to the cross type passage, but it’s certainly a Christmas passage too! Pilate is given the task of evaluating wither or not Jesus is guilty. Jesus knows the purpose for which He was born, to be the sacrifice for all who would place faith in Him. We will see some enteral truths in this passage.

Jesus Came to be King (John 18:37) “For this purpose I was born…”

Isaiah 9:6-7 states that Christ came to rule: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Jesus Came into the World (John 18:37) “…for this purpose I have come into the world…”

This may seem like a simple truth, but when we realize what Jesus is saying here there is more than meets the eye. Jesus says not only that he was born, but that he “came into the world.” The uniqueness of his birth is that he did not originate at his birth. He existed before he was born in a manger. The personhood, the character, the personality of Jesus of Nazareth existed before the man Jesus of Nazareth was born. The theological word to describe this mystery is not creation, but incarnation. The word incarnation comes directly from the prophecy of God being with us or Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 clearly states this: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

What is the earliest mention of Jesus in the Old Testament? I truly believe that Christ was present at the creation. We are Trinitarian. Listen to the first part of Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth…” I don’t believe he was referring to the angels. I believe is a direct mention of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:15-18 clarifies this: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

Jesus Came to Reveal the Truth (John 18:37) “…to bear witness to the truth…”

John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What does truth Do?

Jesus Came to Save His People (John 18:37) “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 10:15-18 “just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(Chemistry Class at La Tech)

What is truth? Pilate ask the same question that many ask today! What is truth? We strive to find the answer to truth in science. The Word of God continually affirms scientific discoveries! We strive to find truth in humanity, yet we continually find the Genesis 3 curse is upon every human. We look for truth in inclusiveness, yet Christ is exclusive in His call to salvation. The truth is Christ! 

Truth is Jesus!

Application:

Just as Jesus was born to reveal the truth, we were reborn to reveal the truth of Christ. The first Christmas is an example for our lives. John 20:21 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”