OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING

JOHN 18: 33-37

YOU SAY I AM A KING

Rev. Linh N. Nguyen

INSTITUTION OF THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

The feast of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in order to counteract the progressive wave of secularism, materialism, and atheism in the world. Pius XI established this feast to affirm the sovereignty of Christ over all the world.

The feast of Christ the King was originally on the feast of our Lord’s Ascension. On that day, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of the Father in heaven. In the language and image of the Book of Revelation, Jesus sits upon the throne, and is crowned with glory and honor.  His name is “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL PASSAGE:

Pilate said to Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?” 

Pilate asked Jesus three questions that allowed Jesus the chance to define his kingship. This first question indicated that Pilate was probably curious to learn about Jesus. If Jesus claimed to be a king, he would have been viewed as challenging Roman authority.

Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”

Notice the role reversal – Jesus responded to Pilate’s question by interrogating him. Jesus asked Pilate whether he was personally and sincerely interested in the truth, or was he simply repeating rumors. It was as if Pilate was now on trial.

Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

Pilate’s reply seemed a bit defensive. Defensiveness of our demeanors often keeps us from hearing the truth. Pilate refused to take any responsibility for Jesus being here.  He blamed the Jews.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”

Jesus’ claim to the throne and his reign are beyond the limitations of this world. The goals, principles, and methods of Christ’s kingdom come from heaven. The way the kingdom affects our lives demonstrates that it is not rooted in this world.

So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?”

Pilate recognized that Jesus accepted the title of king, so he asked again if he was a king. Pilate was thinking of a political kingdom. Jesus was thinking of a spiritual kingdom. While Pilate was mixed-up with the concept of kingship, Jesus used this occasion to speak about his mission in the world.

Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus replied to his question by equating his kingship with his witness to the truth. Jesus is the king of a different realm, who had come to earth to testify to the truth. Jesus does not enter the world for any political purpose; instead he came to testify to the truth.

LESSONS TO LEARN:

Pilate made four attempts to deal with Jesus during the trial: (1) he tried to put the responsibility on someone else (18:31); (2) he tried to find a way of escape so he could release Jesus (18:39); (3) he tried to compromise with having Jesus flogged rather than handing him over to die (19:1-3); and (4) he tried a direct appeal to the sympathy of the accusers (19:15).

Everyone has to decide what to do with Jesus. Whatever desire Pilate had to free Jesus was negated by his refusal to do so. Pilate let everyone else decide for him – and in the end, he lost.

Kingdom people submit their own will to the will of the King. If Christ is “the King of kings and Lord of lords,” he deserves more our honor, loyalty, and obedience. We put ourselves under his authority and power. Whatever he says, we determine to do in order to fulfill the prayer once taught by him, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”