“ARE YOU THE KING?”

JOHN 18:33–36

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.…”

(John 18:36).

At this point, John assumes the readers are acquainted with the earlier gospels, particularly Luke. In Luke’s account, it is recorded that the Sanhedrin presented three charges, all of which amounted to high treason: 1) Jesus perverts the nation, 2) Jesus forbids them to pay tribute to the emperor, and 3) Jesus says that He is a King. The Jews deceptively implied that they had come to these conclusions upon due investigation and after a fair trial.

Pilate was not fooled. He knew the Jews were driven by envy and jealousy (Matt. 27:19). Nevertheless, the governor could not afford to ignore such charges. After all, he had the security of his own position to consider. Therefore, he decided to meet with Jesus separate from the Jewish leaders. One gets the impression that Pilate thought it ridiculous that the man standing before him could be a “king.” The emphasis on “you” in the question brings out this point: “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered with a question because He wanted to clarify a point. Was Pilate asking the question on his own, or was he merely repeating the charges of the Jews? If Pilate wanted to know if Jesus were a king in any sense, the answer would be “yes.” But if his question were based merely upon what others had said in their accusations against Jesus, the answer would clearly have been “no.” Pilate, of course, responded with indignation. He was not asking as a Jew would ask the question, but he did want to know whether the charges were true in any sense.

Jesus, then, comes to the point. He is a king, but not the kind of king He had been accused of being. Pilate could put his mind at ease. Jesus’ kingdom was not like the Roman Empire, it was not “of this world.” Yet, He was, and is, a king in the true sense of the word. But His kingdom is spiritual, for He rules in the hearts of His followers. It is not likely that Pilate understood what He meant, for Jesus’ own disciples failed to grasp this important truth. And many fail to grasp it today. Jesus Christ is King over the hearts and lives of His followers. He is not merely a Savior, and He is not a political revolutionary. He is the Ruler of our hearts, and as His subjects we are to live under His authority and in obedience to His commands.

CORAM DEO

Isaiah 43–44

Colossians 2

WEEKEND

Isaiah 45–49

Colossians 3–4

There is a belief in some circles that Christ can be Savior of your life but not King. People who believe this think they are saved, but then they live as the world lives. How does Jesus command us to live? Is He King or is He only your Savior? Read the verses below and take seriously their application to your own life.

For further study: Dan. 7:13–14 • Matt. 7:15–23 • 1 John 5:1–5 • Rev. 17:14

WEEKEND