Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: John 18:33-36

By

John 18:33-36    "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?  (34)  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?  (35)  Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?  (36)  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

It is interesting to me that the first words out of Pilate's mouth were in the form of a question. "Art thou the King of the Jews?"  It is not mentioned that the accusers had said anything about Jesus being a king; yet this is the first question asked by Pilate. Where would he get such an idea?  The phrase "King of the Jews" is mentioned only once before this time. Remember what the wise men from the East asked of Herod? "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2)  How would Pilate know to ask this question? Was there communication between Herod and Pilate about this?  Was there communication between the wise men and Pilate?  We do not know, but I find it interesting that Pilate would begin His conversation with Jesus by asking if He was the King.  Jesus, although He knows all things, asked Pilate if He was saying that from his heart or if someone else told him that Jesus was King of the Jews.

Far more interesting to me is in the fact that Jesus did not deny; rather, He expanded the conversation by revealing to Pilate the kingdom over which He has been placed is not an earthly kingdom.  If Jesus had been trying to overthrow the government, there would have been a great battle waging at that moment. His servants would have taken up sword and spear to defend their king. So, if Jesus' kingdom was "not of this world," then in what kind of kingdom does He reign? Be assured this morning that although at that moment, Jesus was standing before Pilate as the "Lamb of God," He is now at this moment reigning in His kingdom in power and glory. What kind of kingdom is this?

Let's look at the insight given first by Jesus and then by the Apostle Paul.  The Pharisees "demanded" of Jesus when the kingdom of God should come. Where had they heard that term? I'm full of questions this morning.  "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  (15)  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)   Jesus declared in His Sermon on the Mount,  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)  So Jesus answered the Pharisees when they "demanded" when the kingdom of God should come, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  (21)  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU." (Luke 17:20-21)

So, let's put these thoughts together and add Paul's definition of the kingdom of God.  Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is at hand. My kingdom is not of this world. The kingdom of God does not come with observation."  (It cannot be seen with natural eyes or held in our hands.)   "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or lo there!"  (The experience of the kingdom does not come from being in a certain geographical location)  "for, BEHOLD, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU."  

Where does Jesus reign in my life? He lives and reigns in my heart! What is the effect in my life when my will and the will of God for me is in alignment?? It is called, "Kingdom living."  What is the result? Let's look at the words of the Apostle Paul.  "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)  The experience of living in the kingdom of God is in the peace and joy that we have "within" us as we walk with the King of kings and Lord of lords.  You see, we do not have to wait until we get to heaven to experience the kingdom of God and have fellowship with the King. We can do that everyday of our lives if we submit to Him. "Seek ye first, the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Then peace and joy, comfort and fulfillment will be added unto you.

I know this is longer than usual, but I cannot stop without adding this thought.  More times than not, the word "saved" in Scripture is speaking concerning being able to experience the kingdom life in Jesus Christ. Eternal salvation is completely unconditional. Jesus paid it all.  Being saved to the effects of the kingdom of God has conditions to be laid down, such as believing, obeying, trusting, submitting. There is only ONE WAY to heaven and Jesus accomplished that on Calvary's Hill. But thanks be to God, He has shown us in His Word the way in which we can experience that peace and joy as we walk through this world of sin and sorrow.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Psalm 88:1-4

By
Psalm 88:1-4  A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:  (2)  Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;  (3)  For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.  (4)  I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength" I've said this before and I will say it again (and probably more times before we get to the end of the Psalms) - I love the Psalms because I can surely identify with them. Most Psalms start in a low place and as the writer expresses his thoughts, the Lord begins to lift him up out of that dry place.  Though this entire Psalm is a fervent cry unto the Lord, the Psalmist tells us specifically in three verses that he cried daily unto the Lord. Just a few Psalms ago, we were reminded that God always hears our prayers. ...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Psalm 100:1-5

By
Psalm 100:1-5   A Psalm of praise. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." "Know ye that the LORD he is God." As I read the 100th Psalm this morning, this verse seems to be the hinge upon which all the other verses are settled. Know ye that the LORD he IS God. Jesus prayed in His intercessory prayer, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) We read in the book of Hebrews chapter 11:6, "... he that cometh to God must believ...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Mark 14:65-67

By
Mark 14:65-67    "And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.  (66)  And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:  (67)  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth." It's always nice and sweet when Devotions make us feel good about ourselves. But sometimes the Word of God causes me to become uncomfortable. Today's verses bring me to that place. It would be so very easy for me to look at the contrast between what was happening to Jesus and what was happening with Peter. It would be very comfortable for me to sit here this morning and condemn Peter for standing outside by the fire while Jesus was inside being mocked, spat upon, and struck by the servants of the high priest. It would be easy for me to sit here and say, "...
Read more