Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37
Mark Twain said “the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Jesus was crystal clear on why He was born and His purpose while on earth. We all know the day we were born, but few ever find out why. It is a blessing to know why you were born, and a tragedy to never find out why.
Jesus realized that He was born for a cause. He spent the days of His youth seeking to understand the will of His Father. From the days of His youth, this can be seen — His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:41-49
An important lesson that we can all learn from Jesus, is that what we do for a living does not always define the cause for which we were born. Jesus was a carpenter by profession, but He was born to be king. He knew at the age of 12 that He must be about His Fathers business, yet some despised Him because they made His way of earning a living His identity. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. [Mark 6:2-3]
When we don’t comprehend why we were born, the offense of others could guide us in a direction that leads us off track. Knowing who you are and the cause for which you were born, protects you from distraction. Jesus knew more about the cause of his birth than his parents did when He was 12 years old. Which is a year of transition from childhood to manhood in the Jewish culture. When one searches for the meaning of life, common internal questions are: Who am I? Why am I here?
What are you passionate about? What would you do without pay? Although Jesus was a carpenter by profession, He did ministry for free. He also encouraged His disciples to do the same — And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.[Matthew 10:7] Paul likewise was a tentmaker, but he resisted compensation for ministry — I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. [Acts 20:33-35]
Ministry takes on many forms. To minister is simply to serve. Here is what Jesus said about serving others; For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [Mark 10:45] For what cause were you born? Every person who enters this world has a purpose that must be discovered in order to be walked out. I can tell you without reservation, that if you belong to Christ, then you were created for good works, as it is written in Ephesians 2:10; For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. May you walk in good works today, because this has been prepared beforehand for you to walk in.
Maranatha
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