SCRIPTURE: John 18:28-36
“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)
God created this world good, but humans have corrupted it.
In this corrupted world, greed and lust, pride and cruelty rule.
Every human kingdom that has existed has been based on these.
Sadly, even many so-called ‘christian’ kingdoms.
Jesus’ kingdom does not operate on these ways.
We are not called to fight, but to serve and bless, like Jesus did.
Jesus ‘weapons’ may seem weak, but this is how the early christians waged war.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)
The way of Jesus is not weak but loaded with divine power.
It is God’s way for restoring His kingdom to this corrupted world.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am a soldier of the cross, a servant of the King. Through deeds of love and mercy Your heavenly kingdom comes. Make me a radical for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…
Observation/Application
The cover of darkness for the Jewish leaders and yet they were worried about ceremonial uncleanness? And no witnesses? Just trust us for we know what we are doing. Only the civil law could execute people and so the religious leaders worked with the civil leaders in order to accomplish their evil practices. According to their laws the leader could only stone Him but to crucify?
Pilate played into their hand – to win favour?
‘Thine Kingdom come. Thine will be done . . . ‘ Christ’s kingdom does not come by these means – deceit, force but by His Word and deed. Only those who have open eyes may see it and experience it and be part of the Kingdom coming in full.
All for Jesus.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through skies,
The glory shall be Thine.