Monday, May 2, 2016
John 18:36 "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."
JESUS IS OUR RISEN KING
As a representative of the greatest world power at that time, Pilate (to whom Jesus said this) was well aware of what the kings of this world were all about. But Jesus was telling Pilate He was a better kind of king. The kind of king we need.
We need a king whose rule is not just a matter of the things of this world and this life. This world is not "all there is," and thankfully so. This world is damaged goods because of sin. God is preparing a new home for His believing children. That's why Jesus stood before Pilate and was nailed to that Roman cross, and there paid for the sin of us all.
Yes, Jesus responded to the physical needs of so many during His earthly ministry, but that was not His primary work, His mission of redemption. In the same way He provides for our earthly needs, but does it with a view to the world to come. The world He was talking about when He said: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
Jesus was born to be king. So that we might live under His rule, He came to our rescue, destroying the power of the evil One who held us captive. Through His Gospel rule in our hearts we are more than God's subjects, we are His dear children now and forever. We know all this for a fact because Jesus not only suffered under Pontius Pilate, on the third day after His death on that Roman cross our King physically rose from the grave. Having sacrificed Himself to make us His own, He came back from death so that we might live under His gracious rule forever.
I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing; He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and KING.
He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there.
