CHRIST’S KINGDOM

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Extended reading: John 18: 19-40

Devotional verse: verse 36

After Our Lord was betrayed by Judas and arrested, we find Him standing before Pontious Pilate. After hearing Christ”s accusers, Pilate tells them to judge Him by their laws; they insist that He be judged by Roman law, thereby allowing His execution. So, Pilate goes back inside, back to Jesus, and asks Him whether He was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered Pilate in such a way that Paul later said of Him that He “testified the good confession” (1Timothy 6:13). His confession concerned the nature of His kingdom, which he explained in terms of what it was and what it was not. On the negative side, He denied that His kingdom is of this world. His rule is not from an earthly source but the Father (Psalm 110:1,2). Jesus states that because His kingdom is not of this world, the means which He employs to promote His kingdom are also not worldly (see also 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). On the positive side, Jesus emphasized the place of truth in His kingdom. He is the truth (14:6), and He testifies to the truth concerning Himself, sin, and salvation. He rules in the hearts and lives of His people. 

Such a king is worth following. Such truth is worthy of our acceptance. In believing the truth we are released from the power of darkness to enter His kingdom (Colossians 1:12;13). The truth makes us free, and the freedom of Christ’s kingdom is the freedom to become holy and serve His cause in the world (8:32;36).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for this “good confession” of who you are and how you rule. Encourage our hearts with this truth. Thank you for making us free to follow you by sacrificing yourself on the cross for our sins. Please help us as we serve you and your holy cause in this world, Amen.

*Adapted from Topical Chain Study Bible