Jesus is Essential
John 18:33–36: Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Literally, He said “My kingdom is out of this world.” He is not saying that His Kingdom is not going to be on this earth someday, as He is going to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords and “… the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9). But His Kingdom is not going to be of this world system. It will not be a power structure built on politics. Friend, the church cannot build His Kingdom either.
The Bible teaches us clearly that in this present age Christ is gathering out a people for His name. These are the ekklesia or the called–out ones, the church. They are called out of the world to live in the world but not of the world. The time will come when the Lord will completely remove the church from the world. Then, when Christ comes in His Kingdom, He will establish it! 1
Walking with Jesus
Are you a kingdom worker? Do people know about the King that you work for? Are you known as one who lives a life of faith, and faithfully builds up others in faith?
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16
Looking forward to His coming kingdom, when His will is done on earth.
Praying
Lord, please keep my heart from getting infected with this worldly kingdom.
1.McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville.
