A Kingdom not from Here

Is God’s kingdom meant to just rule in our hearts or is there more to it? Is Jesus a king? How does Jesus compare to government leaders of this world? What is the truth of Jesus’ reign? Let’s examine Pilate’s questioning of Jesus in John 18:33-37 and what Jesus had to say about His kingdom.

King of the Jews

John 18:33 “Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’” Nathanael (John 1:49) and a large crowd called Him king (John 12:13). The military governor of Judea was worried about political threats to Rome.

Pilate governed the Roman province of Judea from 26-36 AD. The Roman province of Judea existed from 6-135 AD. Its capital was Caesarea on the northwest coast and not Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate was the 5th Roman Prefect of Judea. Archaeology and history record him as being an equestrian (a knight). 

What Have You Done

John 18:34-35 “Jesus answered, ‘Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?’” Selfish politics of this world destroys.

Jesus gave his life for others. Pilate caused terror. Jesus brings peace. Pilate led in violence. Jesus led in love. Pilate governed by the fickle will of Caesar. Jesus rules by the unchanging will of God. Are we blinded by worldly politics, or do we see Jesus’ reign of love?

Not from Here

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm [not from here].’”

The politics of this world is not the politics of heaven. Jesus emphatically states that His kingdom is not “of” or “from” this world. Like a lawyer bulldozing a case, Pilate only heard Jesus admitting He was a king. Like worldly partisan politics, Pilate only hears facts that support his position.

Did Jesus mean that He rules in the hearts of men or that He is from above rather than from earth? Jesus’ kingdom is not “from here.” Coming from heaven, Jesus’ kingdom ultimately overrules all human authority. If His kingdom was from here, His servants would have fought for Him.

I am a King

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’”

Truth is elusive. Did Alexander Bell or Antonio Meucci invent the telephone? Was the first European to discover America Christopher Columbus or Leif Erikson? Did Henry Ford or Karl Benz invent the automobile? Did Pocahontas marry John Smith? Were the Wright Brothers or Gustav Whitehead the first in powered flight?

Do we want the truth, even when the truth is not what we want to hear? Do we recognize what Jesus says as true? Do we believe the Bible, or do we believe what the world around us says? Jesus’ rule is one of truth. He spins no political lies.

Jesus’ government is unlike any earthly governments; it comes from heaven. He is a king that gives what no human government in the entirety of human history has been able to give, salvation from all our problems. We enter His kingdom when we submit to His rule in our lives.

John 18:33-37; John 1:49; John 12:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Thanksgiving List

Are we anxious? Are we worried about tomorrow? Let’s see how writing a long, long, long thanksgiving list can help. Let’s see what God has to say about fretful thoughts in Matthew 6:25-33.

Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

While the love of money traps the rich, worries trap the poor. Being anxious about the future is quite common. Planning for the future makes good sense, considering different contingencies, but God does not want us living in anxiety, being overly anxious. Take “no anxious thought” is the intended meaning.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Have you ever wondered how the birds survive? God provides for them and us.

There are about 9,000 species of birds. All lay eggs, perfectly designed for structural strength, loaded with protein, and rich in nutrition. Birds were designed to build a wide diversity of nests that are artistic and complexly engineered. Birds eat rodents, suet, nectar, fruit, insects, berries, nuts, and seeds.

During long, cold winter nights, feathers are excellent insulation, especially down feathers. Feathers are designed to trap heat when fluffed, keep birds warm and repel water. While some birds migrate to warmer areas, many species will crowd together among evergreens, in a cavity, or in a birdhouse and stay warm.

Matthew 6:27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” This means adding a cubit to our stature or single step to the length of our lifespan. Longevity is big business. But worrying about something that is in God’s hands is futile.

Matthew 6:28-29 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” God provides clothes we need.

We would call these wildflowers or native species today. Wildflowers are particularly relevant to Jesus’ point, because usually no human was involved in intentionally planting them. They are not cultivated or hybrids but naturally occuring and are more beautiful than the most expensive clothing. Don’t worry about inconsequential, pointless fashion.

Matthew 6:30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” Wildflowers growing among the grass were burned with it in ovens using straw for fuel.

Matthew 6:31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’” The poor worry that they may not have these things at all. The rich worry about having the best of these things. Take no anxious thought.

Matthew 6:32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Clearly the nations eagerly seek food and clothing. Food among the nations is a $2.4 trillion industry. Fashion among the nations is a $1.2 trillion industry.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We seek the kingdom in prayer, knowing God will provide for our earthly needs. We are a becoming mature Christians when the things of earth grow strangely dim.

A cure for anxiety and worry is giving thanks for God’s love and care for us. Try to regularly give thanks for a long, long, long list of blessings. We seek first His kingdom, not this world. We give thanks for what we have and learn to be satisfied. We ignore a culture that deceives us into being dissatisfied so we will buy, buy, buy. We pray for our daily bread, not tomorrow’s bread, because faith says, Today’s bread is enough! God grant us the faith to live in blessed assurance that He will supply all our needs!



New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Two Kinds of Religion

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44.

Outward Show

Mark 12:38-39 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets” Are distinctive clothing, public greetings and special seating wrong?

Why did Jesus warn about the scribes? They continually preached against Him. The same caution would apply today to anyone who considers Jesus’ teachings to be irrelevant or out of date, or who wears distinctive clothing with wrong motives, so people will give them special public greetings and privileged seating.

Is there anything wrong with wearing distinctive religious clothing and being greeted in public? Of course not. God instructed high priests to wear special clothing, the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:20). The problem Jesus addressed was the scribes’ motives, wanting praise from men rather than encouraging praise for God.

Scribes wore distinctive white, got in line before the elderly and their own parents, loved titles and people rising as they walked by. Yet, their job was to give glory to God, and they failed miserably. Should we dress plainly and avoid titles? No, it’s a matter of our motives.

Greater Condemnation

Mark 12:40 “who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” God describes Himself as a defender or judge for the widows (Psalm 68:5). Taking advantage of the helpless, the poor and needy is going to receive greater condemnation from Him.

Because of their writing skills, Scribes were also engaged in writing property deeds, where corruption was always a temptation. Financial corruption is not unique to the Scribes. Christian history contains financial scandals and confiscation of property. Preachers must preach Christ’s message and not be bribed into proclaiming what is popular.

A Poor Widow

Mark 12:41-42 “And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins [a widow’s mites], which amount to a cent.”

Despite the sins of religious leaders, despite being among the people who they robbed, she still gave generously in the offering plate. It takes faith to see God amidst sinful men who lead the Church. It is not men that we worship, but the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

All She Owned

Mark 12:43-44 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Contrast the widow’s mites with the expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus. They picture the same thing, generous, self-sacrificing love. A day will come when those who misuse the Church for selfish gain, and ignore or suppress the Bible’s message, will be exposed and selfless widows will receive great rewards.

2 Kinds of Religion

Throughout the Bible we see two kinds of religion: taking and giving. Among those who give everything for others are this widow and our veterans. The selfish steal from the poor, while others give generously in self-sacrifice. God honors all who live selflessly. Which way are we seeking to live?
Mark 12:38-44; Exodus 28:20; Psalm 68:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Inheritance of the Saints

What is the inheritance of the saints, those made holy by God? What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus? Let’s look at several passages that reveal our wonderful future.

Psalms 2:7-8 “...the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” Are we begotten as God’s children?

Psalm 16:5-6 “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup… Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Someone is spiritually mature when the rent from a thousand apartments, or the cattle on a thousand hills is less important to them than the privilege of knowing God.

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” God will ultimately give property acquired or used immorally to the righteous. Look around at wealthy liars and scam artists and see your future inheritance.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle [meek], for they shall inherit the earth.” This is both a life’s principle and millennial promise. The humble are more likely to succeed than the arrogant. And when Christ returns, He will only give authority over the earth to those who will rule humbly.

John 14:1-3 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places... for I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Many “resting places” implies more to come - new heaven and new earth?

Romans 8:14-17 “... The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him”. We are fellow heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Words used when Abraham did not spare Isaac. Never forget the price that was paid so that we could inherit.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 “... Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” A changed body.

Hebrews 11:9-10 “By faith he [Abraham] lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Hebrews 11:16 “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” The Patriarchs’ desire, heavenly Jerusalem will someday descend to earth and be our new home.

Revelation 21:3 “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell [tabernacle] among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” In the Feast of Tabernacles and the tabernacle of Christ’s flesh is pictured our wonderful future in New Jerusalem.

The inheritance of the saints is the culmination of all God’s plans, New Jerusalem and a new earth where God and humanity can live together, making all our earthly time of testing pale into insignificance, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21:4)

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation