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)
Jesus’ answer to Pontius Pilate, when asked if he is the King of the Jews, is in some ways enigmatic. But it is very clear about what the kingdom of God is not. It is not “from this world”. In John’s gospel, the term “world” (cosmos in the Greek), does not refer to the physical world. A different word is typically used for that. When Jesus says, “My kingdom is not from this world”, he means it does not fit into the worldly system of kings, armies, nations, and wars. It does not work in the same way as the Roman empire or the kingdoms that surrounded it. It does not use armies of followers to try to make Jesus king by force. It is not a kingdom in the way that Pilate or even the Jewish authorities understand. It “is not from here”.
But what is the kingdom and what does it mean to proclaim Christ as king?
Many of Jesus parables give images of what the Kingdom of God is like. It is like a tiny mustard seed growing into a great tree or a tiny bit of yeast that causes a whole loaf to rise. It is like hidden treasure or a beautiful pearl that someone would give up everything to own. It is like a great net catching all types of fish. It is like a great feast to which many are invited, but not all come. It is like a king who forgives the debts of his servants. It is like workers, who get a fair day’s pay however long they have worked.
But above all, it is about the king who is himself the way. It is about the king who leads by example and never with force. It is about the king who calls and waits patiently for a response. It is about the king born in the manger and the king hanging on the cross.
In the end, the kingdoms of this world cannot bring about peace or justice by force. It is only the love of God, shown in Christ on the cross, ruling in the hearts and minds of people that can bring good out of evil. That is the seed of the kingdom of God.
This Sunday, we will be reflecting more on the theme of Christ the King some more in our services, which are:
10:00 St Mary’s – Sung Baptism
10:30 All Saints – Holy Communion
There are the usual midweek services. Next Sunday there is Holy Communion at 10.00 at St Mary’s and Café Church at 10:30 at All Saints. In summary, the coming week’s services are:
Wednesday 23rd – 9.00 am – All Saints – Celtic morning prayer
Thursday 24th – 10.00 am- St Mary’s – Holy Communion
Sunday 27th – 8.00 am – All Saints – Holy Communion (said)
10.00 am – St Mary’s – Holy Communion
10.30 am – All Saints – Café church
As we follow Christ in our lives, let us pray:
God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Amen
Yours in Christ
Mark
St Mary's, Fishponds 