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Not of This World
Referring to Pilate's questioning in 18:33-38:
"This is one of the few places in John where Jesus refers to his kingdom (Gk. basileia; see also 3:3, 5; Matthew uses basileia fifty-five times). He deflects all political implications by pointing to the other-worldly nature of his rulership. It has not originated with this world, and he is not a rival to Caesar. The true test of his kingdom can be seen in the behavior of his disciples. They will not engage in combat or struggle against Rome’s rule. He is no threat to Rome. The one instance of violence when Peter struck Malchus was promptly rebuked by Jesus (18:11).
But Pilate presses further, looking for a confession. If “king” is the self-chosen label for Jesus, this could still be the grounds of an indictment. A good paraphrase of 18:37a might be: “So you’re telling me that you are indeed some kind of king?” Jesus’ response (18:37b) is nicely phrased by Dodd: “King is your word, not mine.” Having said what his kingdom is not, Jesus can now say what it is—a kingdom of truth. His mission began in heaven and so he possesses a divine charge: He has come to unveil the truth to the world--not to point out true things as he finds them, but to unveil himself, his voice (which is God’s voice), and his words (which are God’s words)...
...Of course, “truth” is no foreign idea to Pilate. Everyone wants at least to claim that his or her efforts are true. Thus, Jesus’ revelation that he is working for the truth serves as an invitation for Pilate to join him. For Pilate to condemn Jesus is for him to condemn the truth. Jesus has thus reversed positions with Pilate." [1] (emphasis mine)
We have talked A LOT about the kingdom before, but it's been a while. Why would Jesus go willingly to be slaughtered? Why would He not seek to rule the world? By the ways of the world, it doesn't make sense - a sacrificial king? A ruler that doesn't seek to rule? But the ways of God's Kingdom are not the ways of men. It brings us back to what Jesus said in John 15:19: "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world..."
Just as Jesus did not seek a kingdom here, so also we do not find a kingdom here. We belong to another kingdom with different rules. May we seek first THAT kingdom.
Not of This World
Referring to Pilate's questioning in 18:33-38:
"This is one of the few places in John where Jesus refers to his kingdom (Gk. basileia; see also 3:3, 5; Matthew uses basileia fifty-five times). He deflects all political implications by pointing to the other-worldly nature of his rulership. It has not originated with this world, and he is not a rival to Caesar. The true test of his kingdom can be seen in the behavior of his disciples. They will not engage in combat or struggle against Rome’s rule. He is no threat to Rome. The one instance of violence when Peter struck Malchus was promptly rebuked by Jesus (18:11).
But Pilate presses further, looking for a confession. If “king” is the self-chosen label for Jesus, this could still be the grounds of an indictment. A good paraphrase of 18:37a might be: “So you’re telling me that you are indeed some kind of king?” Jesus’ response (18:37b) is nicely phrased by Dodd: “King is your word, not mine.” Having said what his kingdom is not, Jesus can now say what it is—a kingdom of truth. His mission began in heaven and so he possesses a divine charge: He has come to unveil the truth to the world--not to point out true things as he finds them, but to unveil himself, his voice (which is God’s voice), and his words (which are God’s words)...
...Of course, “truth” is no foreign idea to Pilate. Everyone wants at least to claim that his or her efforts are true. Thus, Jesus’ revelation that he is working for the truth serves as an invitation for Pilate to join him. For Pilate to condemn Jesus is for him to condemn the truth. Jesus has thus reversed positions with Pilate." [1] (emphasis mine)
We have talked A LOT about the kingdom before, but it's been a while. Why would Jesus go willingly to be slaughtered? Why would He not seek to rule the world? By the ways of the world, it doesn't make sense - a sacrificial king? A ruler that doesn't seek to rule? But the ways of God's Kingdom are not the ways of men. It brings us back to what Jesus said in John 15:19: "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world..."
Just as Jesus did not seek a kingdom here, so also we do not find a kingdom here. We belong to another kingdom with different rules. May we seek first THAT kingdom.
[1] Gary M. Burge, NIV Application Commentary: John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 500-01.
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