Gospel John 18:33-37
IN OUR gospel this Sunday, Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you King of the Jews?” Jesus did not answer him directly.
Instead Jesus replied, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”
Jesus knows he is a King but expands on what Pilate wanted to ask of him. He is different from the others. His kingdom is different. How is his kingdom different from the Kingdom of this world?
Three things: power, goal, scope.
The kingdom of the world uses the power of might, guns, money and position but the Kingdom of God uses the power of the Cross. Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness. As St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The goal of the kingdom of this world is control and manipulate. Freedom is lost. But the goal of the Kingdom of God is to transform individuals through the Cross. Jesus came to this world to liberate us all.
The kingdom of the world seeks only to promote itself and to defend it’s self - one nation against another, one religion against another. But the Kingdom of God is universal in scope. It does not discriminate in terms of color, culture and creed. It’s sole purpose is centered in simply love - just as Jesus loves.
One commentator asserts that the Kingdom of God looks and acts like Jesus Christ, like Calvary, like God’s eternal, triune love. It consists of people graciously embracing others and sacrificing themselves in service to others. It consists of people trusting and employing “power under” rather than “power over,” even when they, like Jesus, suffer because of this. It consists of people imitating the Savior who died for them and for all people. It consists of people submitting to God’s rule and doing his will.
And who is Christ the King? Pope Pius XI in his first encyclical letter declaring the feast of Christ the King “Quas Primas” wrote that the following qualities of Christ, “It has long been a common custom to give to Christ the metaphorical title of ‘king’ because of the high degree of perfection whereby he excels all creatures... He is king of hearts, too, by reason of his ‘charity which exceeds all knowledge’ [Eph 3:19]. And his mercy and kindness which draw all to him, for never has it been known, nor will it ever be, that a man be loved so much and so universally as Jesus Christ” (Quas Primas, No.7)
Pope Benedict XVI in Leon, Mexico (25th March 2012) adds that “He is a king with a crown of thorns, but only He can save us: “Do whatever He tells you.”... His crowns, one of a sovereign, the other of thorns, indicate that His royal status does not correspond to how it has been or is understood by many. His kingdom does not stand on the power of His armies subduing others through force or violence. It rests on a higher power that wins over hearts: the love of God that He brought into the world with His sacrifice and the Truth to which He bore witness. This is His sovereignty which no one can take from Him and which no one should forget.”
Jesus is asking you today, who is your “King”?
Jesus wants to be the king of your life. He wants to reign in your hearts and lives. Not to manipulate and control you, but to be a loving king who desires nothing but the best for you. Jesus invites you to serve Him as your king. This does not mean becoming a slave, but become a friend to him. This means loving him with all of who you are. Give Him a chance and entrust yourself to our heavenly king.