Sunday, November 24, 2024
Sunday Reflection: Kingdom and Power
Power-- the ability to force people to do things-- is a fascinating thing: people want it, but it never lasts. At best, it ends when you die. Meanwhile, influence-- the ability to convince people to things of their own free will-- can far outlast the life of the teacher. Jesus is the ultimate example of this; he denied himself power, but his influence is profound even two millennium after his time teaching ended.
Jesus baffles the authorities by denying kingly power-- but here in John 18 he explains his true role:
33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that 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.”
This to me says something simple: Jesus came to tell the truth and urge people towards what is right, not to use power to force people to do things. We need to be careful when we call him a "King."
