John 18:37 Christmas King...

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” asked the unexpected visitors from the East who appeared on Herod’s doorstep. Their question troubled him so deeply that the aftershock was felt throughout the capital ().

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” asked the unexpected visitors from the East who appeared on Herod’s doorstep. Their question troubled him so deeply that the aftershock was felt throughout the capital ().

Some thirty years later, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea,

a latter-day Elijah proclaiming that this long-promised kingdom of God

was already coming over the horizon of history.

Some thirty years later, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, a latter-day Elijah proclaiming that this long-promised kingdom of God was already coming over the horizon of history. His message was both echoed by, and fulfilled in, his cousin Jesus of Nazareth: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven/God is at hand” (; cf. ).

His message was both echoed by, and fulfilled in, Jesus of Nazareth: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (; cf. ).

Now—at last—the kingdom was here; the King Himself had arrived.

But what does this mean—Jesus is King? Yes, Jesus came to be “King of my life.

In fact, when Jesus first announced His kingdom and reign, two of its major events already lay in the past.

Anointed and Opposed

Anointed and Opposed

First, He had been anointed into the office of King, by the

powerful coming of the Holy Spirit on Him

at His baptism in the River Jordan ().

That pointed Him forward to the overwhelming baptism into death

He would experience at Calvary ().

By that baptism of blood He would conquer sin, death, and Satan (; ).

But there was more to it than this.

For, second, His baptism was followed by an immediate conflict.

He went from the waters of Jordan to the wilderness of Judea to

battle face to face with Satan himself ().

This event, perhaps even more clearly, set the parameters of His kingdom,

because in it Jesus proved to be everything that

both Adam and Israel had failed to be.

Adam the First

Adam the First had been created in fellowship with God as His image ().

In the ancient Near East, a king might symbolize his lordship over his territory by

setting up an image as a representation of himself and his dominion.

This is precisely what describes: God, the Great King,

made man as His living, breathing, moving, like-Himself image.

God gave Adam the First “dominion.”

He was to rule over the animate world ().

In the context of his fellowship with God in Eden, he also was

called to turn the whole earth into the garden of God ().

In amazing and imaginative love, God fashioned a creature that, in miniature,

could experience creativity and dominion, and

so have real fellowship with Him.

Here lay the serpent’s subtlety—“You will be like God” (), he chanted nastily when he tempted the woman.

He blinded her to the cardinal truth:

Adam and Eve already were like God; they were His image!

So Adam the First fell, and with him the cosmos.

Adam the Last

Enter Adam the Last. The Lord Jesus was anointed with the Spirit, who is both the

Divine Rescuer (He is “the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth,” ) and also the

Divine Strategist (He leads the new Adam out to be tempted by the Devil, ).

The replay of the battle for cosmic dominion did not take place in a garden,

but in a wilderness created by sin.

The animals that surrounded Jesus were not subservient and tranquil, but “wild” ().

Nevertheless, the temptations to which Adam the First fell (and Israel following him) were

faced head on by Adam the Last,

overcome successfully, and their author routed.

Jesus had come in order to establish His lordship over all things and

to restore the reign of man over the earth.

The prince of this world therefore offered its kingdoms to Jesus.

But he did so in a way that would make Jesus his subject ().

Thankfully, the prince of darkness and death was no match for the Prince of Light and Life.

Anticipating the more bloody battle of the cross, Jesus stood firm.

Thus, in one Man, a foothold had been gained in enemy-occupied territory and

a fatal flaw discovered in Satan’s character, tactics, and resources.

The kingdom had indeed come near.

No wonder our Lord’s ministry then began with a proclamation of this good news and

marvelous demonstrations of His power over

disease,

chaos in creation, and

the Evil One himself ().

Climactic Battle

Climactic Battle

But a final battle for dominion remained to be fought.

God had promised a day of bloody conflict between the Seed of the woman and the serpent.

The heel of the woman’s Seed would be crushed even as

He crushed the head of the serpent (see ).

This was settled in the purpose of God from all ages ().

And it’s on the edge of God’s plan to redeem man coming to fulfillment,

that we find Jesus (the King) in our text this morning.

In our passage we find Jesus before Pilate.

Pilate questions the Jews who are prosecuting Him in v28-32.

Then Pilate comes to Jesus to question Him so let’s pick it up in v

33 "Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 "Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 "“I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 "“My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 "“You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 "“What is truth?.” ()

We’ll end the reading of God’s holy word right there.

Our text is v37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Here, several hours before his death, Jesus makes a statement about

his birth which I want us to ponder as we enter the

last few weeks of before Christmas.

The situation is that Jesus and Pontius Pilate are together in the Roman praetorium, and Pilate is

trying to get Jesus to say something that will show him worthy of crucifixion.

This is a great Christmas text even though it comes from the end of Jesus’ life on earth, not the beginning.

Let’s look at this text more closely now, so that

in seeing Christ and His purpose more clearly,

we might

approve of Christ’s words with all our heart and mind and soul and strength.

I’ve entitled this message: What was Christ born for?

Having just explained the nature of his kingship negatively (i.e. what it is not),

v36, “My kingdom is not of this world” “My Kingdom is not from here.”

Jesus now turns to explain it positively.

It is a kingship defined by His mission to testify to the truth;

he turns to explain it positively. It is a kingship defined by his mission to testify to the truth; his kingdom is a kingdom of truth. Truth here has a meaning close to ‘reality’. In a world subject to unreality and illusion, Jesus offers the reality of a personal relationship with ‘the only true God’ (17:3), a life in the truth which sets free (8:32). Jesus offers that to Pilate. He, the imprisoned, offers his judge true freedom.

His kingdom is a kingdom of truth.

In a world subject to lies and illusions, Jesus offers the reality of a personal relationship with Who?

3 "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God...” () Go back to chapter 8.

Jesus offers this too: 32 "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” ()

Jesus offers that to Pilate.

A relationship with the true God and a life in the truth which sets a person free.

Jesus, the imprisoned, offers his judge true freedom.

So what was Christ born for.

To be on mission with God. “You are a king then? “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this:

Pilate’s question brings forth the marvelous answer of Jesus, whose Kingdom and Mission are founded in the truth.

Jesus, however, was not a person who, as a result of certain circumstances—say,

the death of a predecessor, or

the successful revolution of a people against its rulers

—had become a king.

No, He was a born king; in fact, He was born for the very purpose of being a king!

“Born” not only, as any other person might be born, but

“come into the world” from another realm,

namely, from heaven.

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to John (Vol. 2, pp. 409–410). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Milne, B. (1993). The message of John: here is your king!: with study guide (pp. 266–267). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

From the ivory palaces of heaven he had descended into this sin-cursed world

in order there to take upon himself His missional task,

His saving ministry.

His kingdom is not by

succession,

election, or

conquest, but by the

immediate and special designation of the divine will and counsel.

2. Jesus was born to witness. “I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth” (v37).

Jesus came, moreover, in order to give competent testimony concerning that which

He had Himself heard from the Father respecting man’s salvation.

Truth here in John is nothing less than the self-disclosure of God in His Son, who is the truth, (14:6).

The way that Jesus would exercise His saving Kingship was to disclose the truth of God, of salvation and of judgment.

This is His way of making subjects.

In the NT this “truth” encompasses the ideas of faithfulness and reliability.

Jesus Christ is obviously shown as “the Truth”.

The apostles defined “the truth” even more after Christ died and rose again.

30 "Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.” () 5 "because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel” () 4 "They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.” () 1 "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,” ()

Jesus was born for this: “to testify to the truth.”

3. He was also born to destroy the realm of the lie. “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

He had come, therefore, to testify to the truth with respect to man’s salvation unto the glory of God.

He had come to destroy the realm of the lie (see on 8:44).

Very significantly Jesus adds, “Whoever is of the truth listens to my voice.”

This was, of course, an implied invitation that Pilate, too, might listen!

Jesus’ mission was to integrate truth into life.

That is the reason the text here defines people who are of truth as those who hear the voice of Jesus.

Hearing or obeying Jesus is not the same as affirming correct ideas.

The Pharisees and legalists in Jesus’ day were very precise in their theological formulations,

but God was remote for them.

Also, it was them that schemed His crucifixion in their correctness

because they missed hearing the voice of God.

So Christ was born to

To be on mission with God. “You are a king then? “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this:

2. Jesus was born to witness. “I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth” (v37).

3. He was also born to destroy the realm of the lie. “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to John (Vol. 2, p. 410). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

3. He was also born to destroy the realm of the lie. “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

So here we are, we are followers of Christ. We to were re-born for a reason.

Weren’t we reborn to be on mission with God as we follow His Son?

When a bird is sitting on its eggs, or if there are baby birds- newly hatched, that

that bird has a mother-spirit so that its life is devoted to the feeding of its little ones.

Other birds may be enjoying the clear blue skies and nice breeze but this bird sits still

all the live long day and night

except to fly away to gain food for those mouths that seem to never be filled.

A passion has taken possession of the bird. So something of the same spirit comes over a true disciple-maker.

He would gladly die to minister to other souls!

He begs, pleads, entreats to bless those that God has laid upon his heart.

That person would trade off half their heaven for it.

And at time would even barter heaven altogether to win souls, and like Paul who said:

3 "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, ...” ()

Oh may Christ’s mission & words be our mission & words:

I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this...!

2. Jesus was born to witness. “I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth” (v37).

To apply this, you know exactly how to apply this: We’ve been reborn for the same purpose

we come to testify to the truth of Christ and His gospel!

To tell others that God is as true in His threatenings as He is in His promises!

To bear witness by speaking the truth in love, that the gospel will cause us to see that living a life apart from God and apart from Christ is to live a life that is vain and a travesty, living this way is an utter insult to God!

To testify to the truth that man is meant to be a living soul in communion with God!

One time a pastor of a church that had 29 members and grew to 150, three years later to 400 members.

In less that two years it shot up to 2000 members and when others asked the pastor

how he was able to accomplish so much in his church here’s what he said:

“Oh, I preach Sundays, and four hundred of my church members preach every day.”

It’s like Charles Spurgeon used to say to his church. “What’s the best way to defend a lion?”

Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 977). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Right? There are a great number of people who are seeking to defend the gospel and so forth.

Many books made for this reason and why is that? It’s because the gospel itself isn’t being preached!

So the best thing that those folks who want to defend the lion, the best thing that you can do is step aside and open the lions cage and let him out.

Preach Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Let the Lion out, and see who will dare to approach Him.

Spurgeon, C. (2017). 300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon. (E. Ritzema & L. Smoyer, Eds.). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah will soon drive away all his adversaries.

LASTLY He was also born to destroy the realm of the lie. “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

Jesus’ mission was to integrate truth into life.

That is the reason the text here defines people who are of truth as those who hear the voice of Jesus.

Hearing or obeying Jesus is not the same as affirming correct ideas.

The Pharisees and legalists in Jesus’ day were very precise in their theological formulations,

Borchert, G. L. (2002). (Vol. 25B, p. 243). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

but God was remote for them.

Moreover, they schemed His crucifixion in their correctness because

they missed hearing the voice of God.

That can still happen today.

What Jesus did in this account was confront Pilate with Himself and with the genuine nature of truth.

Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice, says Jesus.

But not everybody does that do they?

Not everyone who attends church actually listens to Christ do they?

He means, among those who are within the sound of his voice, only some hear his words as true.

Only some believe and give glory to God and gain eternal life.

And this group He describes as those who are “of the truth.” What does this mean?

You recall the question Pilate asked Jesus in , which I said I would come back to?

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord or did others say this to you about me?”

This is a remarkable answer.

What matters first in the interchange with Pilate is not that his question be answered

but that the root of his question be exposed.

Pilate, does your question about who I am come from a true hunger in your own heart?

Is there a real soul thirst in you that you are seeking to genuinely satisfy?

Are you longing for the truth and yearning in yourself to find it?

Or are you like so many others: mouthing the words that others have put into your head?

Are you just a second-hander, who only knows to ask the questions others have taught you?

Do you care in yourself whether I am King?

Or are you just echoing like a hollow cave somebody else’s script?

Are you an actor, or are you “of the truth”?

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

To be “of the truth” means to love the truth. So may you embrace these truths concerning discipleship and what Christ wants for His bride!

Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989) Christmas and the Cause of Truth

He means, among those who are within the sound of his voice, only some hear his words as true. Only some believe and give glory to God and gain eternal life. And this group he describes as those who are “of the truth.” What does this mean?

You recall the question Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:33, which I said I would come back to? “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord or did others say this to you about me?” This is a remarkable answer. What matters first in the interchange with Pilate is not that his question be answered but that the root of his question be exposed. Pilate, does your question about who I am come from a true hunger in your own heart? Is there a real soul thirst in you that you are seeking to genuinely satisfy? Are you longing for the truth and yearning in yourself to find it? Or are you like so many others: mouthing the words that others have put into your head? Are you just a second-hander, who only knows to ask the questions others have taught you? Do you care in yourself whether I am King? Or are you just echoing like a hollow cave somebody else’s script? Are you an actor, or are you “of the truth”?

I think to be “of the truth” means to love the truth

10 "and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. 11 "For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 "so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.” ()

People perish because they did not accept the love of the truth! They will be condemned who did not believe the truth!

It means to hunger for the truth and rejoice in it! "Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” ()

True believers are humbly surrendered to following it no matter where it leads.

Jesus said in , “If any man’s will is to do God’s will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God.”

humbly surrendered to following it no matter where it leads. Jesus said in , “If any man’s will is to do God’s will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God.” The will of God is simply an expression of what is true. Therefore, Jesus is saying: “If your will is humble enough to follow truth, you will hear and know the words of truth.

The will of God is simply an expression of what is true.

Therefore, Jesus is saying:

“If your will is humble enough to follow truth, you will hear and know the words of truth.

And who are these people who are open and humble enough to hear and love the words of Christ?

They are His sheep.

Jesus says in 26 "But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. 27 "My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” ()

To be “of the truth” means to belong to Christ’s sheep. To put it negatively look at chapter 8.

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

45 "Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 "Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 "The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.”” ()

Those who are from God listen to God’s words.

Jesus was perfectly suited to come into the world and bear witness to the truth that we might know God,

glorify Him through faith, and

gain eternal life.

But even though he came that we might have life and have it abundantly (), nevertheless,

19 "This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 "But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”” ()

O, that everyone here would prove to be “of the truth” by coming to the light this Christmas.