Not of This World

When Jesus was on trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (John 18:33 ESV)
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)

This phrase “my Kingdom” refers to a spiritual Kingdom of truth where Jesus reigns as Lord over the lives of His people. Jesus then told Pilate,

You say I am a King. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true. (John 18:37 ESV)

Messiah, Savior

The King, our Lord Jesus, did not come to earth to rule over a physical, mortal empire. He came to bear witness to the truth of who He is—the Messiah, Savior of the world. Everyone who loves and recognizes this truth is a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom. Jesus also spoke about His Kingdom in the following passages:

But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 ESV)

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them, “The Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:20-21 ESV)

…Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 ESV)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 ESV)

A Kingdom Like No Other

As you can see, the King, our Lord Jesus, had much to say about His Kingdom. He also used many parables to describe the Kingdom of God. I’ve counted at least 12 parables recorded in the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke about the Kingdom of God told by Jesus. What I have come to know is that it is very clear that Christ’s Kingdom is unlike any on this earth. Other kingdoms are rooted in the realm of this temporary earthly world, but Christ’s is unique. His Kingship is spiritual and eternal. While not of this world, Jesus’s Kingdom is most certainly in this world, in us, in His Holy Spirit exercising authority over this world and impacting this world. Jesus Christ and His disciples (that’s us) take orders from above, not from below. The Holy Spirit instructs us to:

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2 ESV).

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 ESV)

Messiah Foretold

The prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah and our coming King approximately 700 years before Jesus arrived:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his Kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

Your Hope

So, what Kingdom are you putting your Hope in?

Christ’s Kingdom, the one that is here and not yet, will last forever and will have no end. That is where my future lies.