Why Was Jesus Born?

December 18, 2023

Did you know that Jesus tells us why he was born? During Christmas week, it seems we should know why Jesus thinks he was born. The answer is not in any of the birth narratives, but at the end of Jesus’ life. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, has Jesus in his chambers to decide whether to have him killed or spare him. When Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king he answers, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37). Pilate grumbles, “What is truth?” or is he cynically retorting, “What is truth?” or is he pleading, “What is truth?”

If Pilate were living today, he might challenge us saying, “There is no way you can know what truth is!” You can only tell what truth is from your perspective. There is some wisdom in that statement, but does it follow that truth is relative? I don’t think so. Today, I want to share with you four of the many truths that I believe fall into the category of God’s truth. There are people who will disagree with me, but I think history will bear out that I am right because of the fruit born by believing these are truths. First, the Bible is God’s word and it is true. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32). We also read in II Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”

I know there is much Biblical critical thought that questions the Bible’s truth and authority, and people believe they can prove many inconsistencies in the scriptures. I also know that, in my many years in the ministry, modern archeology has proven some of those theories wrong, and has never proven the Bible to be wrong. I have decided to trust the scripture to always lead me to God’s truths in life.

Second, there is no proof that love is anything more than an emotional response caused by a chemical reaction in our brains due to some external stimuli. God’s truth is that love is God’s powerful tool for changing our lives, and when we know God’s love, our lives are changed forever. Love from God is Power! God shows the absolute truth of this in John 3:16, Two Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39), and I Corinthians 13, considered by many to be the greatest definition of love ever written.

Third, everything about our lives is tainted by sin. We read in I John 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” We live in a fallen world, and all humans struggle with sin. There is no one, save Jesus Christ, who has lived their lives without sinning. This is, has been, and will always be true. That is another reason the Bible is a timeless truth because it gives us God’s plan for our salvation in light of our sinfulness.

The Fourth truth is not a statement but a person. We read in John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” Also, in John 14:6 we read, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Without Jesus, the elusive Christmas spirit is a warm fuzzy waiting to happen. We hope someone will do or say something to give us that feeling. Maybe it is a child or grandchild who brings the Christmas spirit. What happens if it never happens? Is Christmas ruined. With Jesus, the Christmas spirit is with us always. It is not just a December feeling. It is a daily experience of joy that grows as our faith grows in Jesus, who is the truth, and therefore sets us free!

What do you believe is true? Can you add to my short list of absolute truths that we can trust in? Do you believe the Bible is full of the truth of God’s word for our lives? What do you need to do to finally accept God’s word as the final authority for faith and practice? (To find out more about Al Earley or read previous articles see, www.lagrangepres.org).