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 (ESV)
The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would establish a political kingdom (John 6:15). Their hopes were that this Messiah would institute a kingdom free of Roman rule. Even after preaching and demonstrating the kingdom of God for years his disciples still asked him just before his ascension, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” To which Jesus replied, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7) Jesus knew that his kingdom did not originate on earth. To Pontus Pilate, 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)
In the kingdom of God, God is the king. David said, Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. (1 Chronicles 29:11) The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:19) For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:28)
God has total sovereign rule over the universe. Daniel revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar that he would eat grass like an ox until “you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 4:25). Not only does God have total rule, he will always have a kingdom and never relinquish rule. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and his dominion endures to all generations (Daniel 4:3; 7:27). Psalm 145:13 says, Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Can a kingdom have more than one king? In his interview with Pontius Pilate Jesus claimed to have a kingdom (John 18:36). Since he claimed to have a kingdom, he must have been a king. In the Revelation, John writes that the Lamb is the Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14). He also testifies that the Lord God Almighty is the king of the nations (Revelation 15:3). Does the Lamb have kingship over God? Since God has total rule as we have seen in previous scriptures how then could the Lamb, whom we know to be Jesus (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19), be the King of kings? There is only one way. God and Jesus are one and the same, God the Father and God the Son (John 1:1, 14).
John wrote, Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True . . . and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. . . . On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-13, 16)
The one called The Word of God was with God in the beginning and was God. He became flesh, the only son of the Father. Jesus—the King of Kings.
Is Jesus your king? Have you submitted to his kinship?
Scriptures for meditation:
Matthew 2:2, 21:5, 27:11
Luke 23:2
John 1:49, 18:37
1 Timothy 6:13-16