David Bahn – Reflections

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.”

The interaction between Jesus and Pilate is interesting to me. He seems little concerned about Pilate’s faith or lack of it. He does not try to argue Pilate into a confession of faith, nor prove the truth of his own claims. Jesus simply lives in the reality of the Kingdom of God. This seems so radically different from the apologetical or polemical approach that some might urge on the church today. Some would have the church engage in a culture war, seeking to sway both public opinion and the political balance of powers. Some would have us promote a Judeo-Christian biblically-based legal code as the mission of the church.

There are times, indeed, when our morals as Christians should inform our political pursuits. To seek laws upholding marriage and the family, or the sanctity of life has long been the proper purview of Christian citizens. But this is not the mission of the church. Our efforts are in the spiritual realm, and the mission of the church is in the realm of the Kingdom of God. That is the realm of faith, eternal truth, and abundant grace.

Very few of those who would identify themselves as Christians seek to establish a code of laws like that of the Sharia Muslims. Perhaps I am looking for a reason to congratulate myself on my approach to questions about other religions, the separation of church and state and the role of church in government. But Jesus’ words here are telling: “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting…” Jesus never intended to fight a battle with the Jews. Our calling is to live under Christ in his kingdom and do whatever we can to help others experience the grace and truth that is found in Christ alone. Those goals are seldom realized in physical or even philosophical battle.

With two of my sons in the military, both of whom will be deployed in foreign places in the coming year, please do not take this post to be any kind of advocacy for pacifism. I have no wisdom to share on the situation in Syria. I have opinions on our recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan that have nothing to do with my Christian faith per se. But I realize, as a Christian, that the government is a tool of God in the world today. They have the power of the sword to quell injustice and wrong-doing. But governments can only make it easier or more difficult for the Kingdom of God to be seen; they will never establish or overthrow God’s kingdom, for it is not of this world.

John 18:28-40

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. ²⁹ So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” ³⁰ They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” ³¹ Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” ³² This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

³³ So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” ³⁵ Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 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.” ³⁷ Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. ³⁹ But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”⁴⁰ They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.