“A Kingdom from Above"
John 18:28-40
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” [John 18:6]
This is only a portion of the dialogue between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, just before the Cross. Jesus was brought before Pilate by the Jews because they could not legally exercise capital punishment. This authority was stripped from them just before Jesus was born, thus fulfilling Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and other prophesies on Messiah’s death.
“For he that is hanged is accursed by God.” [Deuteronomy 21:22] Jesus took upon Himself the curse of sin [our sin] so that we might have a righteous standing before God. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [1 Corinthians 5:21]
This is the doctrine of Justification by Faith. By faith in Jesus as Lord, we have a position of righteousness [a right standing] before Holy God through the blood of Jesus shed on the Cross. It must be by crucifixion. The curse of sin [the thing “sin” itself] was placed on Jesus at the Cross and then Jesus carried that curse unto death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.” [Romans 6:23]
God’s Kingdom begins with a spiritual authority, which is what Jesus described to Pilate. “Are You a king?” Pilate asked. “You say rightly” Jesus answered. But “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now My kingdom is not from here.” [John 18:36; emphasis added] Now the Kingdom is Spiritual; later [when Jesus returns] it will be Physical.
In Gethsemane Jesus rebuked Peter for drawing a sword. It was Peter’s sword versus our Lord’s cup; the cup, however, comes first for the remittance of sin.
Later, however, when Jesus comes again, the sword of His mouth shall “strike the nations” [Revelation 19:15]. In that day, the Kingdom will be Physical and Jesus Himself will rule and reign with the “armies of heaven” for a thousand years [ref. Revelation 20].
In the world but not of the world; in the world yet set apart from the world. This was our Lord’s Upper Room prayer for His disciples [ref. John 17:14-19]. There will be a day, however, when this world will be restored and true Righteousness will reign physically.
Until then may we press on in this life of faith.
