35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
Pilate was obviously not pleased with Jesus’ reply to his earlier query of “Are you the king of the Jews?” His caustic response drips with disdain does it not? There was a depth of scorn contained in Pilate’s words demonstrating the haughty, high minded and fierce spirit that permeated the Romans of that day. A Roman man of sense and honor would have considered it a scandal to have been counted as a Jew. Unfortunately for Pilate he obviously remained unaware that haughty pride goes before a fall – prideful hearts are detestable in God’s sight. Pride is an insidious monster that has caused and continues to cause many a downfall. For that reason (and others) it appears number one on God’s hate list in Proverbs – a proud look (haughty eyes) reflects a prideful heart:
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)
Pilate’s answer also serves as an acknowledgement that he knew nothing against our Lord save the hatred of the Jews towards Him. He appears puzzled over their vehement disdain towards Christ. What could He have done to stir up such strong emotions from His own people? Pilate’s words must have stung our Lord – it was as if he was purposely needling Him. It is always especially painful and sad to be reminded of the fact if one is not embraced – or worse rejected - by family or people group – those who should be closest to us. Clearly this confirms John’s words earlier in his gospel:
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:10-11 (NIV)
Surely Isaiah nailed it when he wrote:
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)
Our Lord’s reply to Pilate’s sarcasm appears to go back to Pilate’s initial question. Jesus states He indeed has a kingdom but one entirely unlike the ones of the world. His kingdom is not at all dependent upon the world’s power or arms or money. It is a kingdom with origins from heaven and not from earth and is therefore it is far more glorious and incomprehensible. It is presently a spiritual kingdom over the heart and will and conscience.
“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” Paul W. Harrison
It is a kingdom that is out of this world. This is what our Lord was referring to when He stated earlier in John:
23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." John 8:23 (NIV)
I think it incredibly interesting the two words He uses to begin the last sentence - “But now”. Right now His kingdom is from above but a day will come by and by after our Lord’s second advent when His kingdom will be a visible one over the whole earth and His saints will be used to rule the new world. And we will all lay low before God on High. I am reminded again of Isaiah’s words regarding the Servant of the Lord:
22 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. 23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:22-23 (NIV)
“When omniscience has lost its eyesight, and omnipotence falls back impotent, and Jehovah is driven from His throne, then the Church of Jesus Christ can afford to be despondent, but never until then. Despots may plan and armies may march, and the congresses of the nations may seem to think they are adjusting all the affairs of the world, but the mighty men of the earth are only the dust of the chariot wheels of God’s providence.” T. Dewitt Talmage