Verse for the week of November 23rd:
Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’
(John 18:36)
The context for this verse is Jesus appearing before Pilate and Pilate questioning him about who he was and if he was the ‘King of the Jews.’
Thoughout this whole questioning, Pilate never does really grasp who Jesus is. Pilate along with others are threatened because they are wondering about if Jesus is going to be taking over physically and attempt to be the one who sits on the throne and becomes the leader of the nation of the Jews. This would be of concern for Pilate as he was charged with ruling over this geographical territory by the emperor of the Roman Empire. This would also be a concern for the Jewish leaders, as Jesus’ presence could be a threat to them.
But Jesus’ answer reveals that Jesus’ kingdom is not about an earthly kingdom, but something else. Jesus states that his kingdom is not from this world. So what is Jesus talking about: Is Jesus’ kingdom on another planet? Is it somewhere else?
Many people quickly jump to an answer like: Duh! Jesus’ kingdom is in heaven. But I think that this is too simplistic of an answer and is not complete. After all, Jesus proclaims early in the Gospel Accounts that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Thus, how can the kingdom be at hand and also in heaven.
I think part of the key to understanding what Jesus is saying is that Jesus’ kingdom is beyond earthly kingdoms. That Jesus’ kingdom is larger than simply recreating the nation of Israel into a new kingdom that would not be ruled by a foreign power (like Israel was at the time). Jesus is not about creating a political structure or the land or a military power—but rather Jesus’ kingdom is about how Jesus desiring to reign not over a physical land but in our hearts. Jesus’ kingdom is in heaven, but it is also here on earth and dwells within all people who seek to follow Him.
Jesus reigns supreme from the cross—that in his weakness he is powerful. And that through the cross, Jesus makes it possible for us to invite him in as king to reign over us in all that we do and say.
How does Jesus reign in your life? How are you contributing to the Jesus’ kingdom in your life?
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