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.”
John 18:36
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19
Jesus confessed to Pilate that He was in fact a king but, not to worry, His kingdom would not be overthrowing Rome with chariots and swords. Christ’s kingdom is not “of” the world.
Likewise, Christ’s followers are not “of” the world either.
Among houses of sticks we are houses of stone. We are not made of the same stuff.
Christ’s kingdom is made of love and peace. Caesar’s kingdom is built of violence and coercion. “You are not of the world.”
Christ’s kingdom is made of humility and hospitality. Caesar’s kingdom is built of flags and steel. “You are not of the world.”
Christ’s kingdom is made of gratitude and generosity. Caesar’s kingdom is built of scarcity and selfish-ambition. “You are not of the world.”
Our Christ – our King – warns that those who live by the sword will die by it and teaches us to consider others before ourselves and asks us to trust his provision like the birds and flowers do.
Be peace. Be selfless. Be content.
“You are not of the world.”
Reflection
• Which kingdom am I building?
Our Prayer
God, we confess that our allegiance is divided.
Tear down Caesar’s kingdom in us and build yours.
Replace our selfish-ambition with joyful generosity, our fear with trust, our anxiety with gratitude, our anger with peace.
Amen.
The post Lent • Day 8 was written by Shaun Groves.
This post first appeared on Shlog Commandment #1: No Bro-ing - Shaun Groves, please read the originial post: here
