Not of this world

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." – John 18.36

The other day we looked at the fact that though we are sent into this world we are really not of this world. Today Jesus uses the same terms to speak of Himself and the world.

Jesus was involved in a trail accused of claiming to be a king. Pilate, a government official who represented Rome was sitting as judge. I almost feel sorry for Pilate. He was not in a prime posting for a Roman official. He was stuck away in the region of Judea and now he had to deal with a religious squabble between the Jews and a trouble making teacher.

‘Are you a king? Pilate asked. ‘I am,’ Jesus answered, ‘but my kingdom is not of this world. If it were my followers world fight to protect their king, but my kingdom is not of this world.’

This is yet another reminder, if we needed it, of the reality of the two worlds that co-exist.

We often may wonder why the world can’t just follow Jesus; instructions because if everyone just listened to Jesus the world would be a lot better. The American president Thomas Jefferson though that. His ‘Jefferson Bible’ was created by simply cutting out all of the teachings of Jesus and compiling them into one volume as a guide for life. He called it ‘The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth’ and intended it as a tool take the deity out of Christ.

But the ‘Jefferson Bible’ simply would not work. Though people can all improve their lives and benefit to some extent by following the teachings of Jesus they will never get the full benefits because He is not their king. They are not really a part of His kingdom.

But those of us who are of His kingdom have no excuse. King Jesus tells us exactly how we are supposed to live. The only question is if we are going to follow our King or follow the ways of the world neither of us are a part of.