The mile-long buffet of worldviews that I have in mind is the shelves of books at Barnes & Noble. But before I explain why that is relevant, first consider Jesus’ statement about why he was born, which he made when he was about to be executed.

Since Hebrews 2:14 says that the divine Son of God was born with a human nature so that “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death,” it is not surprising that in the hour of his death he would speak about his reason for being born. Pilate is questioning him about his kingship, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “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.”

There are layers of meaning in the phrase bear witness. It includes 1) speaking the truth of God as no man ever spoke; 2) being the truth of God in his person; 3) dying to establish the truth about God; and 4) sending us as the Father sent him to bear witness to the truth, both in speaking and dying.

1. Speaking the Truth
First, Jesus was born to speak the truth about God as no man every spoke. For example, he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). That is one of the most important truths in the universe: Jesus, the historical man, is the pre-existent God. Not only does he say he existed before Abraham (two thousand years before he was born), but he also called himself “I am,” the name God had given himself in Exodus 3:14.

Then to make plain the significance of God becoming man, Jesus bore witness to the great work of salvation he would do. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

2. Being the Truth
Second, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Paul said, “the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21), and “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in him (Colossians 2:3). This is why he was born—not only to speak the truth about God, but to embody the truth about God. We never know the truth aright when we do not know and love the Jesus Christ himself.