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?”    John 18 : 36 - 37

Reading for this week : John 18 : 33 - 37

Thought for the week

As Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate was familiar with political survival. With manipulation, balancing interests, and keeping quiet so as to not attract the attention of Rome.

Yet in his encounter with Jesus Pilate meets with an authority and a certainty he has not known before. It is Pilate who is challenged, searching for answers, being subtly and deeply questioned by Jesus.

The episode ends with Pilate asking Jesus, ‘What is truth?’. Yet he has Truth standing before him.

Jesus’ Kingship is not of this world, and therefore all those who hold power in this world, all those who claim authority, all those who assert certainty other than that of the Lord’s power and love.

Jesus goes on challenging our human constructions and intentions just as He has challenged every kingdom over the past 2,000 years.

This is the King who serves, who sacrificed His life for us, who goes beyond and ahead of us in every situation, who is alive and active in our world. Jesus is the true King, The King – Shepherd, the King of grace and love.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Eternal Father,

whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven

that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:

keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit

and in the bond of peace,

and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.