He Is A King

A Reflection on the Gospel for November 21st, 2021:
​The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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John
18.33b-37

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. 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.”
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Today’s Gospel presents us with a scene from the Passion: Jesus being questioned by Pontius Pilate. In the season of Advent, as we are preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ, why are we being invited to reflect upon His death? 


Jesus’ birth and death frame the most remarkable life ever lived. They are precisely those moments when His reasons for becoming flesh, like us, come into focus. Fully human, He embodied the best of humanity, a perfect example for His people. Fully divine, He is a King, and His kingship shines as a light to the nations throughout our broken world. 


In a few weeks we will celebrate Jesus’ coming, a Messiah born under the humblest of circumstances: in a place for animals, far from His extended family with no women to attend his mother, His majesty acknowledged by a few lowly shepherds and three wise men from a far away place. 


In the Gospel reading, He approaches death, again in circumstances far from kingly. He is beaten worse than an animal, crucified with criminals — the most horrifying and shameful punishment of the ancient world — and laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.  


Jesus’s kingship is strange to us, backward even. A poor king? A crucified Messiah?  


It has never been His position in this world that identifies Christ as King. 


Pontius Pilate sees the disconnect and asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?” and again, “So you are a king?” Jesus answers, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 


This world is not His kingdom, but He loves this world and so He willingly sacrificed Himself to save it. He chose to be human. And He chose to be born and to die in humility, showing us that kingship is not about political influence, powerful friends, and wealth. (Those who believe otherwise have the understanding of Pilate, and they have missed the mark.) 


Kingship is about conquering death.  


Jesus did what no other could do; He died and, trampling death, rose again, putting us into a right relationship with God and securing our salvation.  


We prepare for you, Jesus, Our King. Lead us through death to life everlasting.




Donna Davis

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