Corona Devo 717

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  ~John 18:36

~~~~~

What does Jesus mean here?  

Pilate is grilling Him about whether He is a "king" or not, and Jesus answers Pilate with this "riddle": “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  ~John 18:36

And even though His kingdom is not earthly, I still wish that someone had stood up and stood out to fight to keep (Jesus) from being handed over to the Jewish leaders that day in Jerusalem.  Jesus was going to die (and be resurrected) for our sake, but I wish He would have had the support of someone (anyone!), for His sake.

I realize that the betrayal, abuse and crucifixion of Jesus had to happen for our salvation, but now and today, I believe that we, (His followers) do have opportunities and responsibilities to "fight" to keep "Jesus" from being handed over...to keep our religious freedoms from being handed over...and to keep our passion for following Christ from being handed over, clouded over, or becoming "too-offensive" over.  

Why aren't we fighting to keep Jesus from being handed over in our daily lives and in our world?

Or are we fighting for the right to worship Him?  Are we fighting for the privilege of public acknowledgement and prayer to our God?  Are we seeing the brokenness of this world and fighting back with the healing balm of Bible teachings?

Guard against complacency.  

Study God's Word so that we know it.  

Get up for church. 

Speak up for our religious freedoms, however that "looks" in our lives today.

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  ~John 18:36

But what does Jesus mean about His "kingdom" not being "earthly"?  Do we know?  

I think we do.

What we see here each day... what we experience/come up against/battle here on earth is not all that there is.

Jesus is admitting/claiming/owning/foretelling/promising of His kingdom...and it ain't what we struggle with and against here on this earth.  

Can I get an "Amen" if we knew that already?

If we've seen the shallowness of earthly gain...then we understand that His Kingdom is not of this world.

If we've felt the sorrow of earthly loss....then we understand that His Kingdom is not of this world. 

If we have ached with pain, sickness, limitations, loneliness, hurt, abuse, or addiction....then we understand that His Kingdom is not of this world. 

If we have wanted more for the poor, the orphaned, the elderly, the unborn, our broken selves....then we understand that His Kingdom is not of this world. 

If (once in a while) we've caught a "glimpse" of Jesus here on earth, but we long to intently gaze on the Father and Son that Heaven will one day afford us....then we understand that His Kingdom is not of this world.

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  ~John 18:36

Jesus answered with these words because He knows the questions of our hearts.  

He knows the emptiness we have sometimes, because we are not home.  (Jesus answered...my Kingdom is not of this world.)  

He knows the desires of goodness/balance/righteousness/peace that we seek but never fully find. (Jesus answered...my Kingdom is not of this world.)

He knows the craving of our saved-souls to spend Eternity in communion with Him, and He not only answers, but He promises us: “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom...my Kingdom is not of this world.” 

And so, until "tomorrow"/until He comes back/or until He takes-us-home: fight to keep Him from being handed over from our heart or mind in the midst of everything else we encounter each day. 

Fight to keep Him from being handed over into political, racial, vaccine/health, socio-economical, or popular niceties.  God's Word and God's kingdom are for everyone.  Don't let the world limit His access, His reach, or our potential to reach others in His Name.

Because even though His kingdom is not earthly, we can be that someone who stands up and stands out here on earth and in this world today to fight to keep (Jesus) from being handed over.

~~~~~

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  ~John 18:36

What does Jesus mean here in these verses?  

He means that He is here...preparing us for His kingdom there.

Blessings,

Sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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