Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:36-37 NASB1995)
The scene here is not of Jesus’ birth, although he mentioned the purpose for which he was born, so his birth was mentioned. The scene here is of his arrest on false charges, and his “kangaroo court” trial on those false charges which ultimately led to his crucifixion on a cross in putting our sins to death with him so that, by God-persuaded faith in him, we will die to sin and live for God in walks of surrender to his will, in obedience to his commands, in holy living, by the grace of God, and in the power of God, by faith in Christ.
As I read this, the Lord lead me to talk about what Jesus said with regard to the purpose for which he was born into this world as a baby. Because I believe that is a critical element in how we approach the subject of his birth and life on this earth, and ultimately his death and resurrection, too. So, what did Jesus answer Pilate? He answered him, not only that he was, indeed, a king, but that for this purpose he was born, and for this reason he came into the world to testify to the truth, which should be our focus.
Now let me say here that when we celebrate one another’s birthdays (at least here in the USA, we do), although not everyone does, we don’t drag out photos of what we looked like as babies, then put them on display, and speak only of what we were like as infants. We celebrate who we are now, at the age we are now, considering who we are now and what we are doing in this life, and what we are made of, and what our personal interests are. And we give gifts to the one having the birthday, and not to everyone else.
Well, that is how Jesus wants to be celebrated, too, not as a helpless baby lying in a manger who sleeps and cries and is dependent on his mom and his dad to feed him and to care for him. He wants to be remembered for the man he became, who was also fully God, who fed the hungry, and ministered to the weak, and who comforted the sorrowful, and who delivered people from demons, and raised the dead, and healed the sick and afflicted. And who preached repentance and obedience to God for salvation from sin.
For the purpose of Jesus’ birth was that he would become a king, but not just any king, but the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, our God in the flesh living among his people sharing with them the truth of the gospel. And that truth is that Jesus was put to death on that cross to put our sins to death with him, so that by faith in him we will now die to sin and walk in obedience to his commands. And this is what he wants to be remembered for, because in his death he made the way for us to have life in him.
And then notice how Jesus said, more than once, that his kingdom is not of this world. So why would Jesus, then, want to be celebrated by worldly means and methods which are of this world and not of God? He does not want to be remembered as a helpless baby in a manger on the same occasion as people celebrate a worldly holiday which includes much greed, commercialism, entertainment, parties, overeating, and the worship of a false god who wanted to be god, who is treated like a god (Santa/Satan).
So, if you want to celebrate the life of Jesus Christ on this earth, celebrate him in the way Jesus asked us to remember him, and according to who Jesus was and is and what he did and said, and the true purpose of him being born as a baby into this world. And share with others the truth of the gospel as Jesus taught it so that many other people can come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, in truth, and in righteousness. For Jesus came into this world to save us from our sins so we will now follow him in obedience.
And Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).
[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]
As the Deer
By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
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He Came to Testify to The Truth
An Original Work / December 11, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
