Wednesday, February 8, 2017
John 18:36-38 Jesus answered, "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." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
A MIGHTY MONARCH
Jesus admitted it. "As you say! I am a king." Here is someone who stands alone. All His followers have run away. He is a member of a downtrodden people, and even among them He has nowhere to lay His head. Yet He admits to having followers in another "world." There His followers would fight any encroachment of His power. And that is really what they are doing right now, in the spiritual realm.
Why did He not stay in His own realm? He was born and He has come into this world for one purpose: to testify to the truth. Why is the truth so important?
Because the truth to which our King testifies is a life-giving: Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven! ... Come unto me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest ... Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
You are a might monarch, As by your Word is told,
And yet you care but little For earthly goods or gold.
You do not come displaying Your power and renown.
You dwell in no high castle; You wear no jeweled crown.
(Christian Worship, 94:3)
