Scripture Introduction
In 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley published a poem on the ephemeral nature of human kings and political powers:
I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Kingdoms rise and fall. For a moment in time, Pontius Pilate appeared sovereign over the man named, “Jesus.” But even in his wounded and abused condition, the True King turns the inquiry against Pilate, and the one who would be judge finds himself in the dock.
Because the outward forms of God’s kingdom usually do not impress, most people trust themselves to temporary powers. But I would remind you of the vision of the future given the Apostle John: at the end of days, the seventh angel will blow a trumpet and the voices of heaven will proclaim: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Jesus know his future, and challenges Pilate to rise above current appearances and to live by the truth that the cross is the path to his coronation. The same truth challenges us in John 18.
[Read John 18.33-38a. Pray.]
Introduction
In I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, Norman Geisler describes a debate with the humanist Michael Kolenda: “Of the many atheists I debated, he was one of the few who actually read my book, Christian Apologetics, prior to the debate. When he rose to speak, Kolenda held up my book and said, ‘These Christians are very narrow-minded people. I read Dr. Geisler’s book. Do you know what he believes? He believes that Christianity is true and everything opposed to it is false! These Christians are very narrow-minded people!’”
Kolenda also wrote a book which Dr. Geisler had read. So he stood up and said, “‘These humanists are very narrow-minded people. I read Dr. Kolenda’s book. Do you know what he believes? He believes that humanism is true and everything opposed to it is false! These humanists are very narrow-minded people!’”
All truth claims are, in a sense, very narrow. Either Christ is the way to God, or he is a deceiver and demon. Our options are limited. But though the way is narrow, Pilate’s Roman empire lies just as much in ruin today as that of Ozymandias. Only God’s Kingdom expands and remains forever. Therefore there are three things to note today:
1. Entering God’s Kingdom Requires We Acknowledge Jesus as King
I love that scene in Robin Hood when Richard the Lionhearted returns in disguise to his land because he knows some cannot be trusted. When he meets Robin Hood and his men, he questions them to determine their faithfulness. Robin treats the disguised monarch roughly, thinking him a possible traitor. But when Richard removes the cloak, Robin and his men bow and cheer their lord. King Richard was there all along; removing the cloak revealed the truth.
Jesus, likewise, though cloaked in a veil of humanity and humility, speaks clearly of his kingdom. Verse 36: “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is….” In other words, “Yes, I am a king, and I have a kingdom.” Jesus does goes on to explain that his kingdom is different from Pilate’s (and we will consider the nature of Christ’s kingship next). But do not pass too quickly over Jesus’ admission that he is king.
Some people are confused by Jesus’ first response in verse 34. When Pilate asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?”, Jesus’ request for clarification makes perfect sense: “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Jesus is not evading the issue; he is forcing Pilate to clarify the matter for his own sake.
Though Jesus is on trial legally, he immediately begins to turn the table on Pilate, pricking his conscience and poking his pride: “Is this an inquiry for your own life and knowledge, or are you simply parroting the accusations of others? Are you after a real answer, or are you a lackey for a band of jealous Jews? Have you thought, Pontius Pilate, of why these men would use you to get at me, or have you completely given up thinking on your own?”
You hear the anger and contempt in Pilate’s response: “Am I a Jew?”
J. C. Ryle correctly explains his attitude: “The answer of Pilate exhibits the haughty, high-minded, supercilious, fierce spirit of a Roman man of the world. So far from responding to our Lord’s appeal to his conscience, he fires up at the very idea of his knowing anything of the current opinions about Christ.” Pilate considers himself above silly religious squabbles.
The spirit of the world has not changed. Just as in Roman days, people readily accept the idea of god, especially if it remains firmly in your own mind. Vague spirituality and personal deities are fine and good, but speak of the reign and rule of King Jesus, and people “fire up.”
But salvation is not merely a matter of personal feelings and private preferences. To inherit salvation moves you into another King’s domain. John Bunyan well pictures this in Pilgrim’s Progress. In the Valley of Humility Apollyon says to Pilgrim: “You are one of my subjects; I’m the prince and god of [your land.] Why have you run away from your king?”
Jesus is king of a realm in direct opposition to Satan, and those who would know God must both renounce the lord of their first birth and pledge allegiance to the crucified King.
2. Entering God’s Kingdom Requires We Appreciate the Nature of Jesus’ Kingdom
Verse 36: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Some people incorrectly assume that Jesus here fully and completely separates his kingdom from the governments of this age, leading to an absolute dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. They suppose that God’s ways and desires should not impact the laws of the land or the principles which dictate public policies. Christ’s words imply no such thing, but what does he mean? Here are four truths about his rule:
First, his kingdom does not originate from this world. It is not authorized by worldly principles or powers, nor does it derive its legitimacy from them. The kingdom of God comes from heaven; its power and rights are independent of earthly approval.
Second, Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual reign and rule, a power over the hearts and minds of humanity. Its rule is spiritual, its power is moral, and its glory is internal.
Third, the kingdom of Jesus is advanced by persuasion and conviction, not by swords and armies. Its leaders are preachers and elders and deacons, and the power is “ministerial and declarative,” fighting against sin, and advancing righteousness rather than seeking control over money and lands.
Fourth, the members of God’s kingdom are citizens of another country. Though they remain in the world, they are not of this world, and they are bound for another world. They are pilgrims, traveling to a better place.
We could continue listing implications of Jesus’ words. Let me go ahead, however, and apply some of this:
1) Those who know God have a dual citizenship. Christians owe allegiance both to King Jesus and to governing authorities. We do not subvert the powers of this age, just as Christ did not call on his men to fight for his freedom. While obeying God, we submit to the government.
2) Those who know God cherish what he values. Kings of earth trade in silver and gold; they love power and prestige; they want control and respect. The kingdom of God trades in wisdom and righteousness; its citizens loves mercy and justice; they want humility and grace.
3) Those who know God do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.
4) Those who know God do not lay up treasures on earth, but in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Jesus assures Pilate that he need not worry that he is a subversive aiming to set up an opposition government. Christ’s kingdom wields power and influence on a completely different dimension. Jesus is no less a king for that; and you and I, just like Pilate, must acknowledge him as the true Sovereign. For this reason he was born as a man, to redeem a people from the realm of Satan, and to rescue them for the Kingdom of God. For this purpose God sent him into the world – to reclaim those made in God’s image. Christ’s kingdom does not wipe out or obliterate earthly princes and presidents; it does sit above them in authority and significance. One can be a citizen of Rome or America, and remain a rebel against King Jesus. But all who properly and truly honor Christ are also submissive and productive citizens of their earthly states.
3. Entering God’s Kingdom Requires We Accept Truth as the Currency of the Kingdom (John 18.37)
If I order a Big Mac at the local McDonalds, then try to pay for it with 100 Euro, I will be turned away. €100 exchanges for about $130; but even if I tell them to keep the change, they will not give me a Big Mac. McDonalds accepts American currency. Similarly, God’s kingdom values one currency above all others – truth.
You will not find what is significant in God’s economy by searching for that which is ornate and lavish. Human kings display their influence through their wealth, but “God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom” (James 2.5). Will you live by this truth, or by appearances?
You will not find what is powerful in God’s army by examining weapons for waging war. Human kings show their strength with military and artillery, but God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (2Corinthians 12.9). Will you live by this truth, or by appearances?
You will not find who is important in God’s kingdom by physically appeal. Human leaders are cheered when they are beautiful and handsome, but God’s messiah “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53.2). Will you live by this truth, or by appearances?
You will never find God’s final answers by measuring with worldly standards. “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1Corinthians 1.27-29).
Most people make decisions based on pragmatism. They look at the options available and the desires they have and chose a course which they expect to provide the most benefit.
God’s kingdom, instead, requires that we listen to the voice of truth. Yes, often, because this is my Father’s world, the truth also provides great benefit. But the world is fallen, bent, under the sway of the Evil One. Therefore God’s answers are not always the same as pragmatic ones, they do not always produce health and wealth. Those on the side of truth may be persecuted for his Christ’s sake. Paul reminds us (1Timothy 6.13) that Christ made the good confession before Pilate – and he was crucified! Those who stand with Jesus sometimes suffer as he did. But we do so because we know the currency of the Kingdom and we lay up treasures in heaven that cannot fail.
4. Conclusion
Pilate’s answer to all this? “What is truth?”
Most scholars feel his answer was dismissive and sarcastic. Inadvertently, however, Pilate asked a question most significant. How do you answer?
We know Pilate’s thoughts because he immediately walked away from Jesus. He asked the profound question, but he revealed his lack of interest in a real answer by refusing to listen. How will we respond?
John Calvin: “Here we see in Pilate a disease which is common among men. We are all aware of our ignorance, but few of us are willing to admit it. Consequently, most people reject true teaching. Afterwards, the Lord, who is the teacher of the humble, blinds proud people and thus inflicts on them the punishment they deserve. From the same pride arises such disdain that they do not choose to submit to learn, because everyone claims to be wise and intelligent. ‘Truth’ is believed to be a common thing; but God declares, on the contrary, that it lies far beyond the reach of human understanding….
“But it is evident that Pilate spoke mockingly, for he at once goes out. In short, he is angry with Christ for boasting that he is bringing forward “the truth,” which previously lay hidden in darkness. Yet Pilate’s indignation shows that wicked people never reject the Gospel teaching so spitefully that they are not moved by it a little. Although Pilate did not go as far as to become humble and teachable, he is made to feel some inner compunction.”
What is truth? It is that which is contained in the Word of God and the Worship of the great King. So Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Are you free from the control of the pleasures and powers of this world, free to know and love and follow the King who will one day return to claim again all things under his power and dominion and rule? Believe the truth and be set free!
