Our King Is Above This World

   One of my coworkers starts to play Christmas songs as soon as Thanksgiving is over. This is the month many in the world start to think of the birth of a King, Jesus. Last month many were fretting over who would be the president elect. Countries and kingdoms have gone through this process since God allowed governments to be established. Thinking of God and the kingdoms of men always brings to mind the Hebrews demanding a king to be like the other kingdoms around them. They rejected the reign of God for that of men. (1 Samuel 8)

The song about the birth of a King also led me to think of our King who died on the cross. I was drawn to read of his death in the book of John. Jesus final week in Jerusalem was a roller-coaster of political intrigue, from the triumphant entry to the guarded tomb and just before the cross I found something interesting in chapter 19. Three versus here really brought my last thoughts of kingdoms into focus.

Pilate had questioned him finding no fault, the Jews had chosen Barabbas and Jesus had been scourged, crowned and robed in purple, humiliated and the Jews were still un-pacified. Verse 7 is interesting because the law the Jews are depending on for Jesus death, came from their ultimate King his father, God. They are refusing to accept God’s son, using his law against him. Their hearts are far away from the belief they need.

The worldly power around them is what they are using to get their way. In verse 12 they use the worldly king to pressure Pilate into doing their bidding. “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” Then in verse 15 the chief priests show us what worldly leader they have chosen to follow. “We have no king but Caesar!” Can you feel the political pressure when reading this? Can you feel the pressure that caused the people to yell “Crucify!”

Jesus our King gave the kingdom new meaning, for those who believe, after his death via the empty tomb. In John 20:24-31, Jesus comments on seeing and believing saying in verse 29; “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas was one who believed Jesus to be the son of God and now he believes in the resurrected King also!

Our belief is in a kingdom not of this world! Our king is above this world! Now there are really three questions for you while you live in this world. The first is do you believe Jesus is the son of God? The second is which kingdom do you want to align yourself with? The third question is the same the Jews who were cut to the heart asked Peter on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-39) What will your answer be?