Jesus Is King, John 18:28-38a

 

Rev. George Miller

March 27, 2022

John 18:28-38a

 

A common comment a preacher gets is “I don’t want to hear anything political.  Religion should have nothing to do with politics.”

 

21 years ago, I would’ve agreed. 

 

My calling was strictly spiritual.  Faith was about miracles and strength, courage, and total trust in God.

 

Then I slowly started to realize- many miracles would be unnecessary in a world that is just and kind.

 

Strength and courage are often needed when facing obstacles to our health, wealth, and well-being.

 

The Bible is very political- hence books like Kings, and stories like the Exodus.

 

The writers were political.  Prophets addressed issues of unfair rent, unfair wages, mistreatment of immigrants.

 

Jesus, in the very nature of his ministry, was political.  He talked to a despised foreigner at a well, fed the hungry, offered wellness and a way to make a wage to the lame.

 

How much time is our own political climate devoted to health care, poverty, women’s rights?

 

The ministry of Jesus spoke to the time, one in which Rome had invaded Judah and taken over the nation.

 

The ministry of Jesus spoke to the politics of the synagogues.  He offered a connection to God that went against the policies and procedures of the priests and the Temple.

 

The ministry Jesus offered did not involve money changers overcharging fees, or clergy demanding gifts of fatty lambs to dine upon. 

 

If there is any doubt just how spiritual and political Jesus was, just look at today’s reading.

 

Religious leaders take him to the government headquarters.  He’s questioned by the Roman military governor, and in 4 verses, the words

 

King is used 3x

Nation is used 1x

Kingdom is used 3x

World is referred to 3x. 

 

King, Nation, Kingdom, World, are all political terms.  Why does it matter?

 

Because Pilate, a military governor, is asking Jesus if he is the King of the Jews.   Pilate is not asking if Jesus is the spiritual king of the Jews.

 

Imagine if this story took place in Ukraine.  Imagine Pilate is Putin and Jesus is the President of Ukraine.

 

What Pilate is saying is to Jesus is “Are you the one who is going to stir the pot and lead your people into waging a revolt against us, and try to kick Rome out of your country?”

 

That’s how powerful Jesus is.  That’s how strong his presence, his words, his understanding of God and scripture is-

 

that a soldier with a full army at his disposal is afraid that Jesus is going to unleash a war, in which the Romans might lose.

 

Pilate is saying to Jesus “Are you going to stir up trouble and try to usurp the current administration.”

 

Pilate is so worried that Jesus is going to lead the people into a march, a protest, a boycott.

 

And Jesus, unwavering, and with only his words, says “My kingdom is not from this world.  If it was, my followers would’ve been rioting already.”

 

“So,” says Pilate, “Are you a King?”

 

Jesus says, “You say that I am a king, but what I came to speak to is the truth.”

 

“What is truth?,” Pilate asks.

 

Jesus does not answer.  He does not need to.  As we’ve witnessed all along, the Kingdom that Jesus represents is the Kingdom of God.

 

And unlike the Kingdom of Rome, the Kingdom of God is one in which

 

-there is enough for all,

-there is equality of ALL,

 

-there is forgiveness, and

-there is fellowship.

 

Enough, equality, forgiveness, and fellowship- all spiritual and political.

 

Jesus showed us God’s economy, an economy is one in which there is enough for all, God has given us all that we need,

 

so we learn to trust God, share, and use just what we need. 

 

We see God’s economy when water is turned into much abundant and delicious wine. 

 

We see God’s economy in the feeding upon the mountain, in which little is turned into much, no one is turned away, and there is enough to fill 12 more baskets.

 

Equality.  In a culture in which women were less than, and some foreign women were seen as the lowest of the low, Jesus ministers to and evangelizes beside the Woman at the Well. 

 

Mary and Martha go toe to toe with Jesus, moving the Lord Of All to tears. 

 

We see beggars treated as willing workers, blind worthy of getting dirty for, and Jesus saying anyone who comes to him will not be thrown away.

 

Jesus went as far as to take on the role of a servant, washing our feet.

 

In God’s Kingdom, there is forgiveness.

 

When town leaders dare to judge a woman’s morality and what she does with her body,

 

Jesus steps in and stops their persecution, challenging them to throw a stone if they themselves had not made any tragic mistakes.

 

Fellowship.  In a culture that was about who got to walk through the door, sit at the table, and attend the party, he welcomed, ate with, partied with all.

 

The Kingdom of God, as presented by Jesus, is one in which

 

-God has created the world in such a way, giving us enough so that we are-

 

encouraged to give thanks for what we have,  and share our resources.

 

-Men and women, native born and foreigner are welcome, and equals.

 

-Forgiveness of mistakes and sins take place over vicious punishment.

 

-Everyone is welcome to gather without fear, worry, without hierarchy.

 

Can you hear how spiritual and political that is?

 

Can you hear how radical God’s kingdom truly is; how amazing that we get to be citizens of it? 

 

For all of God’s goodness and grace,

let us say “Amen.”