Jesus told Pilate when he asked what he (Jesus had) done wrong, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36) Those words have been misunderstood down through the years, but when preconceived notions are set aside, his statement is very understandable.

The words show a transition from the old to the new. In the Old Testament Days kingdoms were nations ruled by kings, priests, and other heads of state that rose to prominence over the people. Those who ruled generally held their subjects in an iron grip that was often tyrannical and brutal. That type of rule can be properly defined at of the world since worldly rulers depend on force to keep the populace in subjugation. But when Jesus arrived, he set in motion a different kind of rule which called on each person to lead, without force, the type of life that God wants for his creation.

With all that said, it is necessary to look at the Greek word translated reign which is closely connected to the word translated kingdom. For a king to reign he must have a kingdom, and when Jesus spoke to Pilate, he said he had a kingdom that wasn’t of the world. The worldly minds couldn’t understand what he meant and today many are confused by the meaning. The mind of the flesh couldn’t grasp the mind of the spirit and it was then as Paul told the Romans much later, Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. It is correct to say that when Jesus uttered those words the mind of flesh (Jews, the law, and Pilate the mind of worldly rule) didn’t understand the things of the Spirit taught by Christ.

Whereas everyone is born into a nation, (a kingdom of some kind under the rule of man and is usually considered a citizen of that nation, with some exception) one can’t be naturally or physically born in the kingdom of God even though many think they have been. Jesus made it plain on how to become a member of God’s kingdom. He said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:5)  Though certain ones through false teaching deny that the water of which Jesus spoke refers to baptism (Acts 2:38 and I Peter 3:20-21) saying that water refers to natural birth, that can’t be true. Jesus spoke of two births in verse 6, the physical birth that follows the breaking of water and the infusion of the human spirit and the spiritual birth. Then in verse 7 he said, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. It is plain that a change of mind must take place to be born into God’s kingdom. When the new birth takes place a new direction for life begins and it is as Paul wrote: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It should be easy to understand the confusion in Pilate’s mind since he was worldly minded and the derision from the Jews. Jesus requires a change in the individual in order to become citizen in his kingdom and when the word reign is attached to the word kingdom the meaning is that the reign of Jesus is in each and every person who will obey him and thus that individual becomes the kingdom of God over which Jesus reigns.

Jesus had called their hand for not living according to the law due to their twisting of it. Of course that infuriated the Jews who were looking for an earthly king. And in the end came as follows: John 19:14-16: And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.  This leaves no doubt that the Jews were of the world and refused the reign of the spirit which Jesus came to give.

06-14-2007 DEC

                         Next week Not of This World Part II