Dear Christian friends:

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had all the splendid might of the Roman army and courts supporting him. Jesus had nothing, not earthly power, not even a lawyer. Before in the garden He told Peter to put back his sword into its sheath that He didn't intend to use force. He said God would send Him 72,000 angels to fight for Him if He wanted them, but He didn't want to use them.

We are surprised because of Jesus' wonderful courage and love. Also here in our text He tells Pilate that His kingdom is not like his, that He will not use soldiers or other force to establish and build His Kingdom that He uses only the truth, God's Word, to build His Kingdom.

We Christians sometimes forget about this and also sometimes are confused about using force in God's Kingdom. Why can't we force people to go to church and support church? If we make a law and force people to go to church and support it maybe the church would be more successful.


Actually we really do use much power or force. We are not only members of Christ's Kingdom, but Christians are members of earthly kingdoms such as the USA. Jesus told Pilate that God had given his power as governor to him when Pilate asked: "Do you not know that I have power to condemn you or release you?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power over Me except it were given to you from above" (from God). Paul says that all governments are established by God and that all people, also Christians should support them and obey them because governments are to keep law and order and peace in the city, state and nation, to punish law-breakers and reward those who obey. (Romans 13:1-6)

We have other power structures which we use: Big Business, General Motors, RCA, Sears, Bank of America, etc. Many of us belong to labor unions where we work. Some of us are Republicans and others are Democrats. Some of us belong to other civic organizations. These are all power structures which we belong to and daily use.

Are we sinning against Jesus' Word here if we belong to these power organizations and use them? No! Jesus does not forbid us to do that. He wants us to belong to these power structures and use them for earthly progress and good times. We should even thank Him for them and pray for His blessings on them and see that they operate justly and fairly. If government or big business or labor unions do not do just and right with blacks and other minorities, we should argue and vote and fight to change these wrongs.

But we must not forget that we are also members of another Kingdom, Jesus' Kingdom, and in His Kingdom we cannot use force or other earthly powers.

Also we must not become to interested in these earthly power structures that we worship power, money and luxuries which they can give us. If we do that we are idol worshippers and have another God. And soon we will use these power structures in wrong ways as many people are doing today and our nation and world is in much trouble: racial strife, strife in our colleges between young and old and pollution crimes and wars.

So we Christians must remember Christ's Kingdom and His ruling in our hearts and minds. Jesus came to fight against selfishness, greed and the wrong use of power structures. When Jesus comes into a man's heart He cleanses it and changes it so that it is not so selfish and greedy, but He helps us love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

True, we know that is very hard for man to change. How can Jesus do that? He says here to Pilate, "Yes, I am a King. I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who loves in the truth listens to Me."

Pilate didn't know what Jesus meant. He asked, "What is truth?" But he didn't give Jesus time to explain it to him. What did Jesus mean by "the truth." He meant that God is true. He keeps His promise to man. He promised to send a Savior for sinners. Also now before Pontius Pilate He is suffering and dying as God's Son, the Savior of the world, and soon He will offer up His life upon the cross to pay for man's sins and to free him.

Jesus' followers listen to Him and the Spirit of God helps them believe in Him and love Him and their neighbor. But when Jesus by His Spirit has established His rule in our hearts we then must not disjoin from the power structures of the world: Big Business, Government, Labor Unions, etc. True we may not change them much and they will not all become Christian. But we can witness to them and influence some to be more just and fair and by our membership in these power structures we may win a few more for Christ and heaven and at the same time improve our social life a little.

If we keep hands off, we will never influence anyone, and fail to be God's salt and light for this dark and wicked world. May God help us to use power structures for His glory.

Amen.