My Kingdom Is Not From This World
Today’s Reading: John 18:1-19:42
Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
John 18:36
Freeing
Jesus’ answer to Pilate’s question, “what have you done”, is simple – we are not on the same team. I’m a very logical person, I like things to make sense and if we don’t see eye to eye on something I’m probably going to try to convince you to see things from my position. However, as I read through our passage today – and specifically our focus verse (36), I discovered there was something freeing about Christ’s answer. He did not try to argue the case of the ‘world’ against Him, and His disciples did not fight on His behalf because He was doing what He was sent to do in the name of the Kingdom.
What About Us?
We cannot expect the ‘world’ to see things from our point of view. We are from/for different kingdoms. So, our battles belong to the LORD! Ours is not to argue points and demand agreement but to share the Gospel and love others like Christ loved us. Look at all of the examples from Christ’s life and you will find Him pointing others to the Father, performing miraculous deeds, loving sinners, healing the sick, teaching the believers, explaining His deeds – again, in ways that pointed to the Father. Jesus did not demand and argue – nor should we. Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but it is God’s power to those who are being saved.”
Our Response
Father, this world is not my/our home. Like Christ, we are here on mission for You. Let us live with this in mind so that the things and arguments of this world don’t distract us from Your call upon our life. – In Jesus’ Name Amen!
Don’t forget to visit LoveGodGreatly.com for more on today’s passage.