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3/28 Reading Portions: Exodus 39; John 18; Proverbs 15; Philippians 2
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.”
SPIRITUAL
Jesus is the eternal King of kings. He has never not been King. Pilate could not understand Christ’s words (1 Cor 2:14). They are powerful and glorious for you and me as His disciples, however. Consider two important and holy truths from the Lord’s statement. First, His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom until He returns. Although the temporal reality of our lives exists upon this planet, the priority of Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, heavenly. It’s not earthly, earth-bound, or from the earth. While we do pray for relief from grief, sickness, and death, physical healing and creature comforts are secondary to spiritual emphasis, the advancement of Christ’s heavenly kingdom, and the glory of God through the exaltation of Christ. The second important truth is the kingdom’s priority in the gospel of Christ’s atoning work. Jesus gave this answer to Pilate as He was facing the cross. His servants would not fight to keep Him from the cross because the cross was the whole purpose for His incarnation. Men were crucified by the Romans before and after Christ’s atoning death. Their deaths offered nothing in heaven’s eternal kingdom. Christ’s death was holy, heavenly, and wholly sufficient to pardon the sinner and seat him or her in heavenly places with Christ. The unbelieving world reviles our crucified Savior and wag their heads (Matt 27:39). The conceited soul mocks Christ’s atoning work (Matt 27:41-42). Yet it is Christ’s atoning work of the cross and the blessedness of His person upon which His kingdom is founded, built up, fortified, beautified, and glorified. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Christ’s kingdom is not of the world,
It’s founded on His cross;
By it the sav’d embrace His word
And weigh Atonement’s cost.
