To This End Was I Born, And For This Cause Came I Into The World - Part 2258

And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM: and He said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)

Pilate therefore said unto Jesus, "Art Thou a k/King then?" Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I AM - a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)

And for the record, how does Jesus define truth? "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17) Indeed, we are sanctified and strengthened by His wondrous truth. It is for this reason that we study the scriptures -- for "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Corinthians 3:16)

We should also note here that the Lord God is not the Author of confusion. Every scripture has a balancing verse for clarity -- in agreement with one another. We most certainly see this from written prophecies in the Old Testament, wherein these prophecies are later fulfilled (satisfied!) in the New Testament. This is important to understand so that we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith are not misled or deceived by familiar spirits and charmers, and/or wizards, their respective images and idols, and other abominations-- who are clearly acting without any knowledge of His Word. (Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 8:19; II Kings 23:24; II Kings 21:6; I Samuel 28:1, 9; Deuteronomy 18:11; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6)

Moreover, this agreement is certainly witnessed in the prophetic writings of Zechariah. For those who may not know, the Lord God spoke through the prophet Zechariah about the things that were yet to occur -- when Jesus, the Great Shepherd would lay down His life for the sheep. Note that the prophecies spoken by Zechariah are considered very similar to the prophecies in Old Testament Haggai so again, continued agreement in setting the stage for that particular future moment in time -- when the Lord would come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:!3)

In other words, the appointed time when the Holy Ghost this signified -- "This day have I begotten Thee!" (Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 9:8) 

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant ..." (Hebrews 13:20)

 Thus, from Zechariah 13: "And one shall say unto Him, "What are these wounds in Thine hands?" Then He shall answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends ..." (Zechariah 13:6)

This prophecy later confirmed when the risen Jesus appears to Thomas (doubting Thomas!) who needed to put his hand in Jesus' side, before He would believe. When Thomas did, what did he say to Jesus? "... my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

Another prophecy from Zechariah fulfilled when Jesus was in the mount of Olives with His disciples. Therein, Jesus tells His disciples they would be offended because of this night, when Judas with the guards come to arrest Jesus -- to smite the Shepherd, who had come into this word for His sheep.

The scripture from Matthew: "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, "I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad." But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee." (Matthew 26:30-32)

The scripture from Mark: "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, "I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." (Mark 14:26-28)

But didn't we just witness the people rejoicing because their King had come unto them in Jerusalem? And, as the scriptures describe -- a just King, possessing the key to salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.  

Indeed, "Behold, thy King! His dominion shall be from sea, even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." We understand this to be true now, when we learn that this same Jesus whom we have crucified in our hearts is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-41) And also, that He is risen! 

"When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said." (John 2:22; John 21:14)

Yes, we who believe are so fortunate to know the greatest love story ever told to mankind. But I digress somewhat.

Again, from Zechariah 9: "And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of Him that passeth by, and because of Him that returns: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King comes unto thee; He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and He shall speak peace unto the heathen: and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth" (Zechariah 9:8-10)

Herein, Zechariah is speaking of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem -- later fulfilled in Matthew 21 and John 12. In the former, "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, "Behold, thy King comes unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." Matthew 21:4-5)

In the latter, John writes: "And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King comes, sitting on an ass’s colt." These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and [that] they had done these things unto Him." (John 12:14-16)

This prophecy written prior to Jesus telling His disciples that they would be offended this night, when Judas along with the guards came to arrest Him in the mount.

Again, from Zechariah: "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man [that is] My fellow," saith the Lord of hosts, "smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, [that] in all the land," saith the Lord, 'two parts therein shall be cut off [and] die; but the third shall be left therein." (Zechariah 13:7-8)

As we now know, Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to redeem you and I from our sins, and to set us free. This was the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning. But like satan, too many want to demote the Great Shepherd to heir status -- even when Jesus said, that He is the Lord of glory.

Thus, the sheep were scattered, and to this day, many offended by the Name of the Lord Jesus. Still, as the Lord saith, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world. that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)

As Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) Take hold of His truth this day, asking the Light of this world, the Bread of life, the Living Water wherein if we drink, we will never thirst again -- to fill us with His very being. His Name JESUS -- for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Stand in the offering plate.