18:34,35
John records more details of the interaction between Jesus and Pilate than the synoptics. So here Jesus challenges Pilate as to why he is asking this question, was he just put up to it by the Sanhedrin, or is it a genuine question. Jesus knows that Pilate is just parroting what the Sanhedrin have said to him.
Pilate is rather put out by Jesus’ response. He has contempt for the Jews and their religious arguments. So Pilate asks Jesus “what have you done?”.
18:36
Jesus now gives His famous statement “My kingdom is not of this world”. It is important that we understand the meaning of this. It most definitely does not mean that His kingdom has nothing to do with this world. His Kingdom is not of this world and is not from this world. He does not derive His authority from this world in any way. So in that sense He is not seeking usurp the Roman authority, nor even the Sanhedrin. If it was a worldly kingdom, then His disciples would have fought like other rebels fought.
We have here perhaps the greatest battle ever fought, but Jesus did not fight it using worldly weapons. This is a demonstration on 2 Cor 10:4,5. Even though we do not use worldly weapons, we demolish strongholds. On the cross Jesus was going to win the most powerful victory ever. We need to remember this in our battles against the world. We must not use worldly weapons, we are fighting a spiritual battle, and we need spiritual weapons.
No comments:
Post a Comment