Reflection on John 18:33-40

Scripture
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

Observation
To be a self-titled king in Roman times meant a swift and painful execution. Many Messiahs, would-be kings and revolutionaries were crucified under the Roman occupation of Israel.

The Jewish leaders have framed Jesus on charged of claiming to be a king. Rather than going through the routine process of authorising another crucifixion, Pilate seems determined to get Jesus off the hook.

It is as if Jesus' true authority is plain to see and Pilate is afraid to pit himself against him.

Application
Jesus says, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is out of this world.”

The values of the Kingdom are diametrically opposed to the values of the world, the values of Empire. That means that christians should be motivated by values that are very different from those of the world.

It also means that our methods of achieving our goals must be very different to those of the world.

Unfortunately many, if not most, christians have values and aspirations very similar to those of their unsaved neighbours. Many churches use similar methods and models to business enterprises in order to be successful.

I need to look at all that I hold dear and see if it really is God who motivates me, or if I am more motivated by worldly or selfish goals dressed up in religious language.

Prayer
Jesus you died as a king saving your kingdom. You laid down your life at the hands of a human empire. Show me areas of my life that are more attuned to Empire than Kingdom and give me grace to repent. Amen.