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My Kingdom Is Not Of This World - John 18:36
My Kingdom Is Not Of This World - John 18:36
When Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews Jesus explained that “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (vs.36).
Jesus is king of kings and Lord of Lords with all authority in heaven and upon earth (Rev.17:14; 19:16; Matt. 28:18-19). There is a division to be understood between the spiritual kingdom of Jesus and the civil political kingdoms of men. They too, by virtue of being comprised of men, are under the authority of Jesus yet they rule in their own capacity and realm. Even in this realm they rule by the authority of God. As Jesus told Pilate: "you would have no authority at all if it were not given by my Father" (John 19:11). Paul wrote that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1).
The kingdom that Jesus was building is built upon willing subjects. It is based upon spiritual principles. It encompasses all nations and peoples and endures until the end. Paul wrote of Christians that God had “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). John wrote to the seven churches that God has “made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:6). Hence John proclaimed that he was “your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 1:9).
Of this Kingdom Paul said "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:17–19).
Jesus' simple statement should have shown Pilate that He was no threat to the Roman civil government. It is hard to fathom what Pilate actually understood but it is intriguing that Pilate put a sign on the cross of Jesus reading: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
Since this kingdom of the Lord is comprised of willing subjects, the question is simply are you willing to serve Him? Have you bowed the knee unto Him? Have you set Him as king in your life?
Hugh DeLong
