The Purposeful Mystery of Jesus's Birth: Revealing the Truth

The uniqueness and significance of Jesus's birth are often overshadowed by the grandeur and excitement of the Christmas season. As we gather around the manger to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, we often forget the profound mystery and purpose behind his coming into the world.

In the Gospel of John, we find Jesus standing before Pilate, who questions him about his identity. Pilate asks, "So you are a king?" Jesus responds, "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" (John 18:37).

This interaction between Pilate and Jesus reveals a deeper truth about the nature of Jesus's birth. Jesus not only affirms his kingship but also emphasizes the purpose behind his birth and his coming into the world. His birth was not a mere coincidence or a random event; it was part of a divine plan, carefully orchestrated by God.

The theological term used to describe this mystery is "incarnation." The Incarnation refers to the belief that Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh and became a man while still retaining his divine nature. This means that Jesus, the person, existed before his birth in Bethlehem. His birth was not the beginning of his existence; it was a manifestation of his eternal personhood.

The prophet Micah, 700 years before Jesus's birth, prophesied about the coming Messiah, saying, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2). This prophecy points to the preexistence of Jesus and his eternal nature.

So, what does this mean for us? Why does it matter that Jesus existed before his birth? The answer lies in the purpose he declares to Pilate. Jesus says that he was born and came into the world to bear witness to the truth. He is the embodiment of truth, and everyone who is of the truth listens to his voice.

Jesus's birth was purposeful. It was not just about the physical act of being born; it was about fulfilling a divine plan. Before he was born, Jesus and the Father had a plan, and his birth was a crucial part of that plan. He came to reveal the truth about God, about salvation, and about the way to eternal life.

Throughout his life, Jesus spoke only the truth and acted out the greatest truth of all, which is love. His teaching, his miracles, his death on the cross, and his resurrection all bear witness to the truth of who he is and what he came to accomplish. And those who are born of the truth, those who recognize and accept Jesus as the truth, are welcomed into his eternal family.

The birth of Jesus at Christmas is not just a sentimental story or a historical event. It is a profound and awe-inspiring mystery that points to the eternal nature of God and the purposeful plan of salvation. Jesus's birth is a reminder that God's love for us is not limited to a specific point in time but stretches back to ancient days.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget the profound truth behind Jesus's birth. Let us marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation and the purposeful plan of God. And let us listen to the voice of truth, for Jesus, the eternal Truth, has come into the world to reveal the way to life and to invite us into his eternal family.