Jesus Testifies About His Kingdom
Open Your Bible
John 18:1-40, Isaiah 9:2-7, Daniel 7:14
BY Yana Conner
Jesus understood the assignment. He was sent to establish an eternal and other-worldly kingdom.
When the Jewish officials, accompanied by Roman soldiers, went searching for Him, He didn’t run or hide His identity. Instead, He went to a place where He knew Judas would easily find Him. And when asked if He was Jesus of Nazareth, He calmly and decisively responded, “I am he” (John 18:5–6). When the high priest’s official slapped Him, Jesus didn’t take back His breath from his lungs. He let him live. He understood the assignment wasn’t to flex (assert) His identity, but instead to ready His human body to be rendered breathless on a cross.
As He explained to Pilate, His kingdom was not of this world. His assignment did not include bringing Israel political power. If it was, He along with His servants would fight (v.36).
You know who didn’t understand this assignment, though?
Peter.
Peter was never down with Christ’s crucifixion plan (Matthew 16:21–23, Mark 8:31–33). He envisioned Christ’s kingdom being quite different—victorious in earthly power, and definitely not taking slaps in the face. He thought Christ’s kingdom was of this world, which is why he grabbed his sword when Judas and the cavalry came to arrest Jesus Christ.
Anybody like Peter? I know I am. I’m not down for the crucifixion plan either. Especially if it involves my crucifixion. “Jesus, you can die, but I don’t want to.” I want comfort. I want Jesus’s kingdom to be of this world. It would just make my life easier, you know?
When I initially said “yes” to following Jesus, I envisioned a future that came with certain advantages—answered prayers, a husband by thirty, financial security, thriving ministry. However, many of my prayers have gone unanswered, I’m thirty-six and still single, my financial security ebbs and flows, and ministry is simultaneously hard and beautiful. It’s not what I thought.
We all, like Peter, have preconceived ideas about what the kingdom of God should feel and look like. And when it appears in a form we did not imagine, we can grab our swords to protest how the kingdom of God is showing up in our lives in the form of suffering, unmet desires, and death to self. We can also, out of fear of social or physical persecution, deny our association with Christ by creating distance between us and His Church.
Our desire for an earthly kingdom results from a preoccupation with what Jesus refers to as human concerns. Our willingness to fight for the world’s definition of the “good life” and deny Christ to avoid the suffering that comes with following Him is the result of not understanding our assignment to live for a kingdom that is not of this world.
Therefore, “seek the things above, where Christ is…set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1–2).
67 thoughts on "Jesus Testifies About His Kingdom"
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Thank you Angie for your prayers ❤️ thank you for you posts, too. I always come away with a new perspective or tidbit from your posts.
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Thank you Angie for your prayers ❤️ thank you for you posts, too. I always come away with a new lottle
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@Traci Gender I found that by having a radio playing Klove or other Christian station non-stop in a primary spot in your house (kitchen) it brings your attention back to praise and positive stories throughout the day, and of course in the car. At night, I now have pretty much traded in the reality and popular shows for only Godly shows/Christian stations. I have found that over the years this keeps me grounded in my faith. Otherwise, you are right, it seems we get lost in mindless business all day. I also take my earpods when I’m out and about and listen to Christian podcasts such as SRT weekly podcasts! Hope this gives you some ideas. I also like how other members of the household inevitably listen as well! I catch my hubby singing along.
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I want to seek Jesus more. I give my time in prayer and study; and then seem to go about my business with earthly matters. How do we find the balance?
My heart grieves for what Christ went through, knowingly. Would I have been like Peter? I’m guessing, yes. I’m not proud of that. But I couldn’t be more grateful for the love of Christ. To have SRT to bring me into the Word everyday.
MARI – praying -
I had to play catch up and read yesterday and today’s readings. We are to remember to give God glory no matter where we are in life. I felt a tug about only giving God lip service when I worship and not going out to do more. Today, I read how the Pharisees were very much hypocrites in the way they went about arresting Jesus but refused to go in the Governor’s headquarters so they could still have Passover. Oh, how I can be like the Pharisees and be a hypocrite too.
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Abby D, I agree with you, what an upside down world that we grieve the cost of our salvation. My heart aches, I struggle with my unworthiness in all of it. I often need to stop my lament and bring this back into focus by with a reminder that I am rejoicing a RISEN Savior, not a dead one. So as we push through the chapter 19 we become acutely aware of the suffering, followed by the chapter of His glorious resurrection. I have been reading this for over 50 years, and yes you are right, we grow closer to Him with every devotional, every scripture reading and every prayer. Blessings to you, j
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The ESV footnote says “or insurrectionist”. He must have been opposed to the Romans somehow? Revolutionary would be similar to insurrectionist.
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Praying for you, GRAMSIE SUE & LARA! May the Lord bless and keep you and shine a light on your various paths. I’m joining a new women’s Bible study tonight and I’m a bit nervous. Would you pray that that I can let down my guard and learn and grow with these women? Thank you SHES.
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