“Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:35-36 KJV).
This interaction between the Lord Jesus and Pontius Pilate strikes at the core of the Roman’s tyrannical governance of the Jews and the Jews’ hatred against their Roman rulers. Pilate’s response to the Lord’s question saying ‘am I a Jew?’, is not meant to be polite or some kind of subtlety. It’s practically a slur. He has already indicated lack of interest in Jewish religious debates and controversies. Hence, his remarks are more of sarcasm and sneer. But, in his perspective as a governor, he doesn’t see the Lord as a threat to Roman rule. He is aware that the Jews, most specially the local religious leaders, despised being ruled by the Roman Empire. That’s the crux of the matter for Pontius Pilate.
Hence, as the reigning governor, he must have been relieved to hear that his view was affirmed by the Lord’s response to his question about his kingship, which summed up to say :“but now is my kingdom not from hence.” The Jews could not have taken Him with the power of His army. The Lord Jesus did not come to establish a physical kingdom or political or religious institution. He sternly rebukes the Pharisees and Priests for creating walls of religious establishment. He calls them brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7; 23:33).
The Lord did not come to establish a government, an empire, or a political campaign or a religious movement in this physical world. His role as Messiah was to restore a spiritual kingdom, rooted in the hearts of those who believe. He came to usher in a New Covenant, with the house of Israel and all who puts their faith in Him, affirmed as it is written:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”” (Hebrews 8:10-12 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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