Born to Die

 

                                                  - Bro. M. Geo Prakash

Every child born into this world is born to live. They are meant to grow up and fulfill the purpose for which they were created. When someone achieves greatness and lives a remarkable life, society often proclaims, “They were born to live!” Everyone has a purpose in life—whether it’s becoming a doctor, an engineer, or a successful entrepreneur.

However, there was one child who was born to die. His sole purpose was death.

Yes, the very purpose of Jesus Christ’s coming into this world was to die. Yet, this truth is often forgotten. Today, many prominent ministers present a false narrative that Jesus Christ came to perform miracles and wonders. Even highly educated theologians and clergy lack the enthusiasm or understanding to convey this truth to people. They fail to correct or reject baseless songs like, “He was born in a saintly womb to perform countless miracles.”

A magician or illusionist could perform wonders to amaze people—Christ did not need to come into the world for that.

Jesus Himself clearly stated the purpose of His coming:

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28, KJV)

Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God. He was the sacrificial lamb who was to shed His blood for humanity’s redemption. This divine plan was foretold by the prophet Isaiah approximately 750 years before Christ's birth:

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6, KJV)

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus revealed this truth to His disciples:

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Matthew 16:21, KJV)

He emphasized: "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:17-18, KJV)

The Need for Redemption

Sin separates man from God. To restore this relationship, sins must be cleansed, and this can only happen through the shedding of blood.

"Without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22, KJV)

The Bible declares: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood." (Leviticus 17:11, KJV) "For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof." (Leviticus 17:14, KJV)

When man sins, spiritual death occurs, as the Bible states:

"For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23, KJV)

In the Old Testament, animals such as lambs, bulls, and goats were sacrificed for the atonement of sins. However, their blood could not completely cleanse sin or provide a clear conscience. Thus, year after year, sacrifices continued. The book of Hebrews explains:

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4, KJV)

This is why Christ, who was without sin, shed His own blood to atone for humanity’s sins: "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many." (Hebrews 9:28, KJV) "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10, KJV)

The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world was to shed His blood and grant salvation to mankind.

The Experience of Salvation

Dear friends, our sins must be washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. For this to happen, we must confess our sins with all sincerity. When we do so, we will experience Christ coming into our hearts and transforming our lives. This is the experience of salvation—being born again. Without this experience, one cannot do anything for God that He will accept.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher who recognized Him as a divine teacher: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, KJV)

If it was essential for a knowledgeable religious leader like Nicodemus to be born again, how much more important is it for us? Merely professing Jesus as the Son of God is not enough; we must be born again.

The True Meaning of Christmas

As we celebrate Christmas, let us allow Christ to be born in our hearts. More than external festivities, our hearts must be renewed, and we must be born again. Let us confess our sins to Christ and be cleansed by His precious blood.

The very name “Jesus” means Savior: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21, KJV)

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15, KJV)

Jesus declared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6, KJV)