Bible Reading: Exodus 39; Proverbs 15; John 18; Philippians 2
John 18:33, 36 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Is Jesus a king? That is what Pilate wanted to know since the Jews had delivered him over wanting him put Jesus to death. Pilate was trying to distinguish if Jesus had done anything worthy of death. Jesus answered him with an interesting statement about his kingdom. It is not of this world. Jesus is the king, but this world is still under the power of Satan.
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Because the devil is the prince of the power of the air, the whole world is under his influence.
1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
Because Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, it is a different kingdom than all the kingdoms of this world. If an earthly king were captured, his servants would fight to free him. But that is not what Jesus' servants did. It was not that he did not have servants that could fight! When Peter tried to defend him, Jesus told him to put up his sword.
Matthew 26:52-53 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
At a word, twelve legions of angels would have come rushing to the aid of the King of Glory! But that was not the plan. That is not how you save this world. You cannot set up a new regime and change the rules and hope for the best. This world must be saved one soul at a time. Jesus will bring his kingdom to this world one day. We are to constantly pray for this to come about:
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Jesus reigns over the hearts of those who trust in him.
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
If you have trusted in Christ you are a part of his kingdom now and some day he will bring his kingdom to a new heaven and a new earth! Let's live for the kingdom.
In Christ,
Rody
