A Poem a Sunday

The Reign of Christ

November 22, 2015

John 18:33-37 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Commentary:  John differs from the Synoptic Gospels portraying the Reign of Christ from the cross.  The cross is the ultimate sign.  This snippet of the Passion Narrative contrasts God’s reign in Jesus with the reign of the Empire.  ‘Not from this world’ does not refer to the afterlife, but to the Reign of God here and now in passion and cross. 

33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters[a] again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 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?” 36 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.” 37 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.”

Footnotes:

[a] John 18:33 Gk the praetorium

A Poem a Sunday

The Reign of Christ

November 22, 2015

Not From This World

No apolitical Jesus, here,

no other worldly God

above the heavens pulling strings

with people puppets

every move.

No apolitical Jesus, here,

no other worldly God

but face to face

with Pilate’s Empire

unveiling God’s Kingdom now.

No apolitical Jesus, here,

no other worldly God

but new Kingdom politics

embodied in truth,

compassion and love.

‘Not from this world’

is not from this Empire

where raw might and force have sway.

‘Not from this world’

means ‘from God;’

non-violence, the Jester’s way.

‘Not from this world’

tumbling facades,

showing their emptiness.

‘Not from this world’

is no escape clause

but political power championing God’s cause.

A Poem a Sunday – Reign of Christ – November 17, 2015 – Kenn Storck