Post by Woody Williams on Nov 26, 2006 7:57:26 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- John 18:33-37
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Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked
him, "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."
Devotional
----------
Jesus' kingship was misunderstood by Pilate, the Jewish leaders and
many of Jesus' followers. They had images of king David in mind and
the power of a king established by physical force. They did not
perceive Jesus' kingdom as essentially a spiritual kingdom related to
God's will and purpose being lived out by God's people. This
distinction is important for all of us to remember.
Prayer
--------------------
Help me see clearly the nature of your kingdom, O Lord, and my
participation in it. Amen
----------
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked
him, "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."
Devotional
----------
Jesus' kingship was misunderstood by Pilate, the Jewish leaders and
many of Jesus' followers. They had images of king David in mind and
the power of a king established by physical force. They did not
perceive Jesus' kingdom as essentially a spiritual kingdom related to
God's will and purpose being lived out by God's people. This
distinction is important for all of us to remember.
Prayer
--------------------
Help me see clearly the nature of your kingdom, O Lord, and my
participation in it. Amen