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John 18:33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
What would it be like if we lived in a Kingdom ruled by Jesus?
No war, people would turn the other cheek & forgive.
No gossip, if we had a problem we would speak to the person, forgive them if necessary, & pray for them.
No sickness, people would be healed.
No evil influences/spirits, they would be expelled.
No death, people would be raised to life.
No hunger, Jesus would feed the hungry, and encourage people to share.
No prisons, everyone would do the right thing.
No boats, people would walk on water.
No maternity hospitals, use stables.
Today we celebrate 'Christ the King'. I wonder what image we have of a King today ? Our opinion could be shaped by the monarchy in this country who have little real power, and are treated by many as something like a soap opera, providing fuel for the tabloid newspapers and provoking ridicule and criticism.
In Jesus' day a king was a male ruler, usually hereditary, of a city, tribe, or nation.
Kings often had priestly functions in the maintenance of the religion of the group. In the Orient kings came to be regarded as divine beings. This was true of Egypt from the beginning. The idea was taken over by the Greek empire of Alexander and his successors, and later by the Romans, who regarded Caesar as a god.
A good King would bring centralised government, order, security, prosperity and peace. In return he would demand obedience, respect, payment of taxes, and military service.
This seems far removed from our anti-authoritarian culture today where the monarchy, politicians, judiciary, doctors, teachers, police and others are given little respect by many people.
If Jesus was and is truly a King there are two, apparent alternatives. He is a political King, opposed to Caesar and the Roman Empire. But, as Pilate looks at this lone man who has never killed or injured anyone, the idea is laughable. Alternatively, he is the Messiah, the King of the Jews who has come to rescue the Jewish people. As Pilate looks at him again it appears that it is Jesus who needs rescuing, rescuing from his fellow countrymen !
The Sunday before this encounter with Pilate was Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of a peaceful King. Jesus' kingdom would not be established or maintained by threats, violence and force but self-sacrifice as he suffered injustice, hatred and death on the cross. He would exercise his power by loving, giving, serving, forgiving, and healing.
Just because Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world' does not mean that his kingdom is irrelevant or ineffective in the world. Indeed true Christianity has to affect the way that people live their lives. Jesus teaching is practical, showing us how God wants us to live in this life. Of course, the way we are to live in this life should reflect that fact that we are citizens of Jesus kingdom, which we will not enjoy fully in this life. Therefore, we are not to cling too tightly to the things of the world, but stick to the teachings of Jesus.
One day the Kingdom or rule of Christ will be established when he returns in great power and glory. To judge the living and the dead by how they have responded to his grace. To bring in a world where there is no war, hunger' evil, death, sickness and prisons. Where Jesus' followers will have prefect resurrection bodies like him, be in perfect fellowship with God and other believers, worshipping and serving God forever.
Until that day the Kingdom or rule of Christ is experienced in and through the people he has called to himself. Jesus reigns in the hearts of His people through the work of the Holy Spirit. God's kingdom is in our hearts! We are to live under his rule.
This should involves us being peaceful, not gossiping but building people up by what we say, praying for and helping sick people and those who are bereaved, praying against the evil forces in our world, helping those who are hungry, naked , thirsty, persecuted or imprisoned - either personally or through relief agencies.
Jesus is the King of everything. He has conquered death, sickness, evil and offers life, health and goodness to those who come under his rule.
Let us commit ourselves afresh in thanksgiving for all that he gives us.
Let us be prepared to invite others to discover more about Him and make Him their King.
26/11/06 6 p.m. 'Christ the King' John 18:33-37
John 18:33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
In today's reading we have two kings.
You might call one the King of Clubs. His kingdom is established and maintained by force. He has a large home, fine clothes, food and wine, and the Rolls Royce of first century transport. Soldiers and officials obey him. He only has to say the word and someone is elevated, or executed. People look up to him and seek to gain his favour because of his position.
Perhaps we can think of people a bit like that today. Not necessarily kings but politicians, sportsmen and women, entertainers...
But the King of Clubs was troubled.
He rejected truth. He knew Jesus was innocent, yet he had him flogged ( 19:1 ).
He was also afraid, 19:8, because he knew that the religious leaders wanted to have Jesus killed and, if he did not do this, this would make things very difficult for him. He could face a revolt, even lose his job.
Pilate is actually powerless. He is powerless because he is not in control. He is also powerless because, as Jesus reminds him, his power was given to him by God, 19:11. If he were powerful, he could have freed Jesus. But he wasn't strong enough to do that.
As a last measure of defiance he has a sign put on Jesus' cross, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS, 19:19.
The King of Clubs was actually insecure, weak, influenced by others, afraid, powerless. He condemns an innocent man to a painful, unjust death. If he had not done this no-one would have heard of him. He, like many other kings and provincial rulers, would have been forgotten in time.
He symbolizes many people who put their trust in the wrong place.
In contrast we have the King of Hearts. His kingdom is established by love and service.
"For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45, our memory verse last month.
During this episode Jesus is always in control. He asks Pilate, 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" Immediately Jesus turns the tables. Pilate is now on the defence.
Jesus is in control, secure that this is all part of God the Father's plan. He will not be deflected from this. He will not give in to the temptation to retaliate or escape. He is the truth, the one who leads people to God the Father, 14:6.
His kingdom of truth, love, service and sacrifice is of God, not of the world. Those who enter it worship, honour and obey Jesus because of who He is and what He has done for them. He does not demand obedience by threatening punishment. He is merciful and wants a response of love. He is the true King of Hearts.
One day He will return and be seen in all his power and splendour by everyone. Then everybody will have to bow down before him and acknowledge who He is. Those who have already done that voluntarily will be united with him in eternity under his rule. Today's reading from Revelation 1:4-8 looks forward to that day and will follow this talk.
Jesus calls his followers to follow His example and reject the way of the world. On this Sunday, "Christ the King" how is that relevant for us?
Currently we have two world leaders who are called "Christian" who have waged war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This has failed to solve the problems there. The American government has funded the trial of Sadam Hussein in his own country so he could be sentenced to death.
Jesus achieved victory on the cross. He calls his followers to love their enemies, to do good to those who persecute them, to forgive.
We live in a very aggressive and competitive culture. How do we react when someone threatens us? Do we show the love, mercy and forgiveness that made Jesus the King of Hearts? Love is not easy. Sometimes it requires us to do things that are difficult, that go against what we want to so. This is why we need the Holy Spirit. To help the King rule our hearts.
'Christ the King' John 18:33-37 26/11/00 6 p.m.
PRAY
Lord God, you who are Creator of the Universe and the Power behind all powers, we gather today as your people to praise you and to hear word and to pray that your truth might guide us in our every action and thought. Help us come from our scattered lives to a focus on your eternal reality. Assure us once more of your divine control over all things and help us to surrender ourselves completely into your loving care. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen
Today we celebrate 'Christ the King'. I wonder what image we have of a King today ? Our opinion could be shaped by the monarchy in this country who have little real power, and are treated by many as something like a soap opera, providing fuel for the tabloid newspapers and provoking ridicule and criticism.
In Jesus' day a king was a male ruler, usually hereditary, of a city, tribe, or nation. Hebrew melekh may mean "possessor," stressing physical strength, or "counsellor, decider," stressing intellectual superiority.
Greek basileus always denoted a ruler and leader of a people, city, or state.
Kings often had priestly functions in the maintenance of the religion of the group. In the Orient kings came to be regarded as divine beings. This was true of Egypt from the beginning. The idea was taken over by the Greek empire of Alexander and his successors, and later by the Romans, who regarded Caesar as a god.
A good King would bring centralised government, order, security, prosperity and peace. In return he would demand obedience, respect, payment of taxes, and military service.
This seems far removed from our anti-authoritarian culture today where the monarchy, politicians, judiciary, doctors, teachers, police and others are given little respect by many people.
In Jesus' day Rome ruled Palestine through local rulers (the Herods) and their overseer Pilate, a governor who reported directly to Rome.
Roman law granted the Jews many freedoms, including the right to their Jewish court system, a council called the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin judged Jesus guilty of blasphemy, but it had no authority to carry out a death sentence. Therefore, the religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Along the way, they changed the religious charge against Jesus to a political one, which would call for Roman punishment by death.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
At first glance it appears that Jesus is on trial. He appears before Pilate, perhaps bruised or bleeding having been struck in the face by an official in verse 22. He was unarmed, wearing normal clothing, taken to the palace and marched in as a prisoner under armed guard. He is summonsed by Pilate who can determine whether he lives or dies.
Yet, Jesus is in control of this situation. He had been from the start because he was following God's plan. When the time came for Jesus to be arrested he almost invited arrest and told the soldiers what to do. Verse 3, So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Pilate is the one who is soon on trial. 34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
If Jesus is truly a King there are two, apparent alternatives. He is a political King, opposed to Caesar and the Roman Empire. But, as Pilate looks at this lone man who has never killed or injured anyone, the idea is laughable. Alternatively, he is the Messiah, the King of the Jews who has come to rescue the Jewish people. As Pilate looks at him again it appears that it is Jesus who needs rescuing, rescuing from his fellow countrymen !
In fact, the Jews are also on trial. They are notable by their absence. 28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
The Jews didn't want to be defiled by entering a Gentile palace, but were happy to defile themselves by asking for an innocent man to be executed.
They accused Jesus of blasphemy, yet commit blasphemy themselves.
19:14, "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
