For This Purpose

We tend to know the “what?” of the season. The question for our attention tonight is “why?”.

We celebrate the virgin birth, the humble beginnings in a stable of sorts, the announcement from the angels, and the worship of the shepherds.

Do we take the necessary time to ask why these things happened?

John 18- Jesus has been arrested and brought before the Roman authority named Pontus Pilate, where Jesus is questioned concerning His Kingship. In v. 37 we have Jesus’ answer.

John 18:37- Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Notice the wording- here is the purpose for the birth, for the entrance into the world- to bring attention to truth- aletheia- truth, reality, that which is certain.

No matter what else is presented with whatever strength, Jesus is pointing to something greater.

Those who are of the truth listens to the voice and words of Jesus.

We desire to be of truth, not of falsehood- so it serves us well to pay attention to the words of Jesus. What is true? What is real?

The dishes are dirty.

Matthew 23:25-26- “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

New birth required.

John 3:5-6- Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

New birth explained.

Mark 1:14-15- Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus states it even more boldly later- Sell everything and follow me.

Where are we going?

John 14:3-6- And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Word of challenge- Who is Jesus? Who do you believe Him to be?

Matthew 27:24-26- So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

This is how many desire to live their lives, having washed their hands of Jesus.

I will neither love nor hate Jesus, I’ll simply live as though He is of no significance. How hateful must we be?