For This

John 18:33-37
Jesus as King
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2018%3A33-37&version=NRSVUE
 
Last week, we explored Jesus’ foretelling of the Temple destruction in 70 AD, and Jesus offered words of wisdom that it was necessary for this era to fall in order for the new era to be ushered in. He called this time “the beginning of the birth pangs” (Mark 13:8). What is Jesus referring to? What is being born? This Sunday is considered “Christ the King Sunday” in liturgical churches when we celebrate Christ’s reign, and so, perhaps it was Christ’s reign that was to be born. Was Jesus born “for this”?
 
Jesus was born into the world during a time when it was dominated by a super power. He was born to people who were continuously crushed by empire. Once enough people learned who Jesus was, some tried to force Jesus to fit into their idea of kingdom. It was all they knew, and that they were at the bottom of the hierarchal structure. Of course, they would try to make Jesus the King of their kingdom, so they could move up. Others, the religious leaders in power, accused Jesus of calling himself “King of the Jews.”

They handed him over to Pilate, hoping the Romans would take care of their Jesus problem without getting their hands dirty. When Pilate asked Jesus, “What have you done?” for his own people to hand him over, Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (v.36). That’s what he had done. His own people turned against him because Jesus didn’t fit into their idea of a king or a kingdom.

Jesus never called himself king, and taught that his kingdom was not like the world’s kingdoms. Which is ironic, that we celebrate “Christ the King” Sunday! It’s important to note that this feast day was not instituted until 1925 by Pope Pius XI when the world was still navigating the aftermath of WWI and the threat of Hitler and other extreme nationalist movements. He called on the church to claim Christ’s Kingship over all creation.

Yet, Jesus said, “my kingdom is not from here” (v.36). I don’t think Jesus even liked the words “king” and “kingdom,” but it was what the people were used to. There were no other words that he could use that they would understand in their context. When Pilate tried to force the issue, Jesus said, “You say that I am a king” (v.37). Jesus never said he was a king, nor that he came to be King. He did say, he came “for this” (v.37).

What is “this?” What is Jesus referring to when he said, “For this?” He said he was born and came into the world, “for this.” It’s not for a kingdom. It’s not to be a king in an earthly kingdom because those don’t last. All the earthly kingdoms, or empires, eventually fall. Was it “for this” moment when Jesus shares with a gentile, a person in power, the truth.

Perhaps it was “for this” opportunity to share that there are no kingdoms with him. Instead, everyone belongs who listens to his voice no matter what station in life. Perhaps it was to tell the truth when humans try to make Jesus fit into firmly-established kingdoms, and the truth is Jesus is beyond our constrictions and definitions. Perhaps it was “for this” moment when Jesus’ own people would decide his end, but would soon learn that his end is only the beginning.

Perhaps it was “for [all of] this” because it is a necessary process to face the truth before Jesus reigns in our hearts and lives. We have to face our own darkness and our own complicity in the system that tries to make Jesus into an antihero. In order to follow Jesus, we have to acknowledge our part in “this,” and surrender our own part in killing Jesus’ teachings. Before we can truly allow Jesus to reign in our hearts and lives, we must allow our own selfishness and hate to die on the cross. “This” is what Jesus came into the world to do. He came ”for this.”

Jesus said, “For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (v.37). The truth is, there are no kingdoms with Jesus. He came to reign in our hearts. He came to testify that everyone belongs if they listen to his voice. There is no using Jesus for our own advantage. There is only giving up our whole lives to Jesus, so that peace and love reign on earth as it does in heaven.   
 
Reflection Questions:
Who do you say Jesus is? Would you use the word “king”?
Do you live under Jesus’ reign?
What do you need to surrender to allow Jesus to reign in your life?
Does Jesus reign in your heart? What does that look like?
 
Pray:
Show me, Jesus, what I need to surrender for you to reign in my life.
 
Action:
Do one act of love to show that Jesus reigns in your heart.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.