Monday, October 27, 2014

My Kingdom is Not of This World


John 18:25-36

Now Simon Peter stood and warmed Himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denies it and said, "I am not!" One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you." Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and 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."


Oh how I could continue with this thought, to continue the fervent questioning. But more next time.

As I've said many times, God's Word is truth. We see the events taking place in these scriptures fulfilling prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament. There is another world available to us. This is why the Bible was written. This is why it is important to read God's Word. That the saying(s) of Jesus (and others) might be understood. That we might see how they were fulfilled. To learn of this other world and through whom we might attain it.

The Jews would not kill Jesus; it was against their laws...so they sought out the Romans to carry it out. The Jews and the Gentiles. All people were guilty of His death. We...we...all put Him on that cross. We are all guilty because we are of this world. But...He voluntarily went. That scripture might be fulfilled.

I was just listening to two totally unrelated evangelists discussing very similar subjects. I never cease to be amazed when this happens. They were unrelated to even this, but I feel I want to address them. Briefly, they both discussed how it is the power of the Holy Spirit within the Church and in a person that brings life. And both said it was the death and more importantly Jesus' resurrection that made this Holy Spirit power possible. Jesus is not on the cross anymore (why the cross in our church and many others do not have Jesus on it). He is resurrected and alive in Spirit.

His kingdom is not of this world.

It is this Spirit that makes accounts like this one come alive. We see Peter denying Christ, though he knew Him. He needed that power to avoid the denial but, of course, it had not been received yet. It's why all this had to happen. Peter's denial is another testimony to how we can be without this power. Jesus' death had to occur, that His saying(s) might be fulfilled. He had been telling His disciples He had to leave them...for a good reason...that scripture might be fulfilled...that we might believe in Him...that the Holy Spirit power could be given out to all who receive Him and His death on the cross...by faith.

His kingdom is not of this world.

Jesus never did anything wrong. He was tempted as a man, yes, but He never fell prey to that temptation like we do daily. It is why only He can save us from this life of sin. Why do we deny Him and His power? Why would we rather live without Him in our own sinful bondage than to be set free? What is there in this world that so strongly holds us here instead of wanting to know of this other place Jesus tells us there is? What a mystery that is.

It's even more of a mystery that He can change our minds. That we might know His power in our lives, that we might know this kingdom, that we might see that what Jesus did for us was all part of a great Divine plan. That we might see that the eyes that were so blind in His day believed a lie, that He was not just an ordinary king, but the Lord of lords and King of kings.

His kingdom is not of this world.

He did nothing to deserve the accusations and death. But He did it that scripture would be fulfilled...and eternal life in another kingdom would be available...and His Word would become alive and we would become alive through the power of the Holy Spirit which would be available after His death. He did this for us. Did anyone else in this world ever die for our salvation? Receive Him, believe all this, and this same Power and eternal life can be yours...to the glory of God.

His kingdom is not of this world. We are of this world but we can become part of the other spiritual world when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen!

Daniel was given a vision of God/Jesus. His kingdom is not of this world. And it is ours for the asking.

Daniel 7:14 - Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.

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