John 18:33-40: a reflection

33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

When Pilate asks Jesus whether he is a king, Jesus answers in a way that reveals the nature of his kingdom: My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered up. But now my Kingdom is not from here. His kingdom is real, but of a different nature than earthly kingdoms; it is not established or defended by force, not of this world's kind. He is a king, but his kingship and kingdom are not like the kingdoms of the world, which rest on power and force.

Notice how Jesus describes his kingdom: not of this world, not established or defended by force. Earthly kingdoms rest on power, force, armies; they are fought for and defended by the sword. But Christ's kingdom is not of this kind; if it were, his servants would fight to defend him. His kingdom is of a different nature, not resting on worldly power or force, not of this world. He came, he says, to testify to the truth, and his kingdom is one of truth, entered by those who are of the truth. His kingship is real, but utterly unlike the world's kingdoms of force.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can misunderstand Christ's kingdom, imagining it in worldly terms of power and force. We can think of Christ's kingdom, and its advance, in the world's terms, as a matter of power, force, worldly might; but Christ said his kingdom is not of this world, not established or defended by force. His kingdom advances not by the world's power, but by truth, entering the hearts of those who are of the truth. Do not think of Christ's kingdom in worldly terms of power and force; it is not of this world, but of a different nature, a kingdom of truth. Serve and seek Christ's kingdom in a way fitting its nature, not by the world's power and force, but by the truth to which Christ came to testify, remembering that his kingdom is not of this world, but of truth, entered by those who are of the truth and listen to his voice.

Lord Jesus, when Pilate asks you whether you are a king, you answer in a way that reveals the nature of your kingdom: my Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered up. But now my Kingdom is not from here. Your kingdom is real, but of a different nature than earthly kingdoms; it is not established or defended by force. You are a king, but your kingship and kingdom are not like the kingdoms of the world, which rest on power and force. Show me how you describe your kingdom: not of this world, not established or defended by force. Earthly kingdoms rest on power, force, armies; but your kingdom is not of this kind; if it were, your servants would fight to defend you. Your kingdom is of a different nature. You came to testify to the truth, and your kingdom is one of truth, entered by those who are of the truth. Take that to my heart, for I can misunderstand your kingdom, imagining it in worldly terms of power and force. I can think of your kingdom, and its advance, in the world's terms, as a matter of power, worldly might; but you said your kingdom is not of this world. It advances not by the world's power, but by truth. Keep me from thinking of your kingdom in worldly terms of power and force; it is not of this world, but a kingdom of truth. Help me serve and seek your kingdom in a way fitting its nature, Lord, not by the world's power, but by the truth to which you came to testify.