My Kingdom Is Not From This World
by Anna Murdock

John 18:33-37 and Revelation 1:4b-8

It was pre-dawn and they stood, face to face. The room was filled with
the golden glow from lit oil lamps. The governor, in a robe befitting
of his position in life. The accused with a bruised face, looking
nothing like a king. And yet, Pilate asked, "Are you the King of the
Jews?" The answer echoed throughout the halls of the headquarters and
echoes to this very day. "My kingdom is not from this world." Jesus
said, "My kingdom."

Such a strange time to place these Scriptures before us, isn’t it? Or
is it? Soon we will find ourselves in Advent waiting. We will once
again hear the words from the prophets of the promise of a Messiah, of
a Wonderful Counselor, of the Prince of Peace. In the weeks ahead, we
will look into a manger as we have done year after year and call this
baby the Newborn King. We will hear an angel proclaim that Good News
has been born into this world. A Savior. Christ, the Lord. And yes,
again the heavens will explode with "Glory Be to God" from the
heavenly host, right on cue! But this day, before we step into a time
of Advent waiting or look into the face of the Infant Jesus, we find
ourselves standing in the room with Pilate and Jesus. We look into
Jesus’ face. We hear him telling us to look at his own birth in a
different way this year. "My kingdom is not from here. For this I was
born, and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Kingdom words
from the King whose birth we will soon celebrate.

Today, we too look into the face of Jesus the Christ as we prepare in
the coming weeks to look into the face of a newborn king. We can
understand Pilate’s confusion as to this kingship. The King we worship
wore the most unlikely of crowns. Brow-piercing. His "royal" robe was
placed around his shoulders with mocking allegiance. His scepter was a
shepherd’s staff. His royal chalice was filled with forgiveness. Our
King was lifted high by human hands, not on an elevated throne, but on
a cross. Yes, this is Christ the King, the One who proclaims the
kingdom of God to be on this earth. As he walked with his disciples
then and as he walks with us now, we hear his kingdom words. "Love the
Lord your God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive them. My Peace
I give to you. Follow me. Pray this way…Your kingdom come, your will
be done on earth as it is in heaven." Kingdom words. A reign different
from any other.

Holy God, as the oil lamps flicker and shadows dance across the room,
we hear Pilate ask, "So you ARE a king?" We pray that the words "Yes,
YES he is my Lord and King" fall from our lips even before Jesus
responds. We seek to turn kingdom words into kingdom-on-earth living.
*Lord, make us instruments of your peace; where there is hatred, let
me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt,
faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.* Your kingdom come, O God, your will
be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Help us to be standard-bearers
of this kingdom.  Amen.


(Comments to Anna at abmurdo@gmail.com.)
Worship Team Leader
Broad Street UMC
Statesville, NC