21 November 2021
Today we come to the final Sunday of our Church Year. And as we come to the end of the Church Year our attention is pointed to Jesus, Who is King over all. We are reminded that the One we have again heard about this past Church Year, the One with whom we walked from Bethlehem all the way to the cross and empty tomb and to the mount of ascension; and the One to whom we have heard teaching us again--this One, Jesus, is really the Almighty God Himself. As the Almighty God, He is King and Ruler of All. He is the One, Who as we heard Last Week, is returning again in glory to judge the living and the dead: Then you will see the Son of Man coming on clouds with great power and glory. There we see Who Jesus really is--the One whom we worship now; the One we know now by faith. There it will be obvious for all to see who Jesus really is and then, whether they like it or not, [Ph 2.10]: every knee [will] bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
But today’s Gospel also is a witness to/ testimony of Jesus’ kingship. It is Jesus’ own words that He indeed is King, but it hardly looks like it! It is a far cry from when He will come in glory on the Last Day. Our Gospel today takes us to Good Friday and Jesus on trial before Pilate. What an odd scene--Christ, the King of the Universe is Himself bound and on trial. He had been condemned by the religious court of the Jews and now they bring Him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate went back into the Praetorium and summoned Jesus. Pilate had his soldiers take Jesus from the Jews and bring Him in. This is the King of the Universe? --One led and captive. Pilate wanted to interrogate Jesus privately, away from the Jews and their accusations. What an ironic scene: the King of the Universe is bound as a prisoner and is being interrogated by a representative of a world power! Pilate asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Here we see the complaint the Jews made against Jesus, their accusation that Jesus is worthy of death. St. Luke [23.2] records that the Jews began to accuse Jesus, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” The Jews’ real complaint is Jesus’ Messianic claim--that Jesus claims to be that long promised and awaited Savior. The Jews would have every right to reject Jesus and seek His death if He was a fraud. But by His preaching and His miracles, Jesus showed that He is who He said He is--the Son of God and the Savior of the world/ the Messiah/ the King of Israel. It’s just that they rejected Him and His claims; Jesus was not the political and worldly king/ Messiah they were looking for.
Sadly, today this continues. Many one time Christians have turned away from Jesus because He was not the kind of king/ Savior they were looking for. They were looking for a Savior who, for example, would give them what they want when they want. They were looking for a Savior that fit their ideas/ notions. And when Jesus didn’t deliver, they rejected Him. Here, we must be very careful lest we fall into Satan’s trap: When something bad happens to us or things don’t go as we wanted, when we are in despair, don’t so many say/ think “Jesus, where are you?” To be sure, that is a natural thought/ feeling/ cry but we dare not reject Him--as the devil would want. Instead, it is vital at those times to try to see where the Lord may be or how He may be working; it is vital that we surrender to Him and say as He did: Not my will but Yours be done. This is faith. This is where faith comes in. Just because Jesus may not be or act how you would expect is not reason to reject Him. The fact remains: You are the King of Glory, O Christ.
That’s exactly what we see in our text! --It may not look like Jesus is king; after all He’s bound and on trial, but He is King. Precisely through that “unroyal/ unregal” scene He is carrying out His divine kingship. My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now My kingdom is not from here. Although a king, Jesus in no way threatened Roman rule. This whole scene and Jesus’ appearance makes that obvious. Jesus’ kingdom is different from the Roman kingdom; Jesus’ kingship is different from Caesar’s. Although Jesus is King over all, King of the Universe, His kingdom is not of this world and so His Kingship/ royal rule is different. Yes, Jesus is a King but not as the Jews tried to charge Him--as an enemy of the Romans, with an empire/ kingdom to rival Rome in an earthly way. And just look at Jesus on trial here. He says to Pilate: I am, as you say, a king but He disowns any pretensions of an earthly kingship, after all If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. And yet, the fact remains: I am, as you say, a king. Jesus maintains He is a king--but in another sense.
Jesus accepts the claim I am, as you say, a king. Yes, He is a King! This is absolutely vital for us to understand--Jesus is a king. Notice: Jesus doesn’t say He is something like a president or prime minister, because what does that imply? It implies the consent of the governed; it implies they or at least most people voted for Him. No! Jesus is a King. A president or politician, in order to get elected, has to get votes; he has to pander, perhaps adopting views he’s not fully in agreement with. A king doesn’t have to do that. A king is king. A king makes the order and it’s carried out. Jesus isn’t subject to us but commands/ orders us. This is so vital for us to understand today. Jesus demands of us total allegiance! Even many self-proclaimed Christians want to change Jesus’ clear word and teaching to make it fit their own or that of the culture. But no! Jesus is King. He is King whether we/ the culture agree with Him or not. His word and will stand. Jesus doesn’t ask us what we/ the culture think and then He acts or speaks accordingly. Jesus doesn’t change with the ever changing wind of the culture/ fickleness of the age. Where we see, then, where our will is not in accord with His, let us then recognize our sin and repent. Let us pray that He lead us by His Holy Spirit so that our will and thoughts and actions are more and more in accord with His will and desire.
As almighty King He acts and carries out His will in the way that He knows is best. But don’t forget, He is also an almighty King who loves us and seeks our good. That means that He always works out everything for the spiritual good of His Church and His dear Christians. And because He is almighty King, that means that no one or nothing can stand in His way and oppose Him. What glorious words of comfort: I am, as you say, a king. And how we then respond in the joy of faith: You are the King of Glory, O Christ!
After confessing, I am, as you say, a king, Jesus then continues: For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Jesus came into this world already as King and the fact that He came into the world--from another-- from heaven means that He always existed. It means that the Father sent Him; it means that the Son willingly obeyed His Father’s will and came from heaven to be our Savior. It means that the true God, the almighty king over everything became also true man to be our Savior--and here He was bound, on trial, before Pilate.
Here we see the greatest of mysteries--Jesus is King precisely at the moment of the cross. Precisely as He is hanging on the cross, Jesus is reigning as king. His only crown is a crown of thorns. Precisely here on the cross He has defeated our enemies of sin, devil, death and hell. Precisely here on the cross Jesus sets up His holy kingdom, the Church. You are the King of Glory, O Christ!
My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now My kingdom is not from here. How different Jesus’ kingdom, the Church, is from all the other kingdoms of the world! The kingdoms of the world are only kingdoms because of violence. Rome conquered much of the known world. It was an empire built by force or the threat of force. Look at how the maps of the world have changed over the years as one one power gives way to another, as one conquers another, as one keeps another in subjugation. In worldly kingdoms order is maintained by force. So the mark or characteristic of a worldly kingdom is violence; order is maintained by force and fear. But what does Jesus say? My kingdom is not of this world. Jesus’ kingdom, the Church, is far different than any worldly kingdom. It’s whole nature is different. That’s what we see here with Jesus before Pilate; that’s what we see in a matter of hours as Jesus is crucified. Jesus’ reign suffered injustice. But it is precisely through that injustice and suffering that Jesus established His kingdom.
Whereas earthly kingdoms are held together and protected by fear, force and violence, Jesus’ kingdom, the Church, is made up of people who by faith willingly gather into it. Jesus says in our text: For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Precisely by His coming into the world, precisely by His suffering and death, precisely by this great injustice Jesus set up His kingdom, the Church and He now gathers people into it. A few days before, Jesus, speaking about His upcoming crucifixion, said [Jn 12.32]: And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. By His life, suffering and death Jesus established the NT Church; and now as He calls us and gives us the fruits and blessings of His saving work through His holy word and sacraments, Jesus is drawing us to Himself; the King draws us into His kingdom. Jesus told Pilate: For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice. Because of our sin corrupted reason, we wouldn’t on our own come to His kingdom, the Church. That’s why Jesus draws us and gathers us into it. Through His word and Sacraments Jesus releases us from the chains of Satan’s rule and gives us every heavenly and spiritual blessing He won for us on the cross and so we, by faith, willingly desire to become His subjects. We have been rescued by Jesus--His life, suffering and death were for us--and now having heard the word of truth, listening to His voice, and in faith receiving His saving work, we are gladly His subjects. We now live a life of the obedience of faith and love. We have in us the Holy Spirit who brought us to this faith in Jesus and trust in Him and His work; now by the work of the Holy Spirit we love the Lord and strive to do His will.
This is Jesus’ kingdom, the Church--not some mere earthly kingdom: But now My kingdom is not from here; His is a spiritual, heavenly kingdom. And you, dear Christian, are part of it; you are His subject. Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual kingdom in which He lives and reigns in the heart of His dear Christians. Here in the heart where Jesus reigns there is the right knowledge of God, fear of God and faith, righteousness and eternal life. Jesus is a spiritual King of Grace whose kingdom is gathered, ruled and preserved by the Word.
All throughout the world is Jesus’ kingdom, the Church, His dear Christians; it knows no earthly boundaries. Although His Christians often suffer and His kingdom seems small and oppressed, on the Last Day the full glory of His Church and His dear Christians will be revealed as Jesus returns in glory to bring HIs dear Church home to heaven eternally. What a glorious kingdom and King. You are the King of Glory, O Christ! INJ