The Peaceful Prince

The case for non-violence: We cannot build a Kingdom from above using methods from below.

Introduction: The Christmas Card vs. The Courtroom

The Tension: We love the title "Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:14 NIV

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

We put it on our Christmas cards. We sing it in Handel’s Messiah. It feels soft, warm, and safe—like a silent night by the fire.

There is also a vivid image of the end times— where peace is realized:

Revelation 21:4 NIV

4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

But what happens inbetween?

But if you take the Prince of Peace out of the manger and put Him in the courtroom of John 18, the feeling changes. He isn’t safe anymore. He is on trial.

Let’s fast forward the scene: In John 18:33-36, Jesus stands bound before Pilate. Pilate represents the "Pax Romana"—peace through superior firepower. He looks at this beaten, bleeding carpenter and essentially asks, “What have you done?”

"If you are a King, where is your army? If you are a threat, where are your weapons?".

The Challenge: Jesus’ answer changes everything. By coming into our world— living as he did among us—- and standing firm near the end of his life, He draws a line in the sand between two worlds. And today, He is asking us to choose which side of the line we are standing on.

Let’s consider this entire interaction between Pilate and Jesus:

John 18:33–38 “33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests 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 Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.”

The origin determines the operation.

"My kingdom is not of this world."

John 18:36 NIV

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

We have to clear up a massive misunderstanding. When Jesus says His Kingdom is not "of" this world, we often hear, "My Kingdom is just in Heaven, so I don't care about Earth.".

The Greek: The word is ek—it means "out of" or "from." It’s about Source, not Location.

The Principle: If the Kingdom started down here, it would look like down here. It would look like coercion, manipulation, and political or physical force. But because it comes from above, it operates differently.

James mentions something similar in his letter to the churches:

James 3:17 NIV

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

The fruit reveals the root.

You can’t get heavenly peace from earthly aggression.

Like an invasive species (a seed from a different ecosystem), the Kingdom is planted here to grow, but its DNA is foreign to this world’s systems.

You will not bring Heaven to Earth if you are acting just like the World.

May your will be done— on earth as it is in heaven...

We will not fight using the world’s way.

"If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting..." (John 18:36)

Different Origin = Different Methods.

It is Jesus basically telling Pilate, "If I were your kind of King, I’d have your kind of soldiers." The word used for servants here (hyperetai) refers to officers or police.

There is a contrast:

Pilate has officers with swords.

The High Priest has officers with clubs.

Jesus has officers (us), but He says: "My officers are not fighting".

We are often tempted to be "Barabbas Christians." Barabbas wanted to overthrow the enemy using the enemy's tools (force and violence). It feels faster. It feels effective. But Jesus offers a "Third Way".

Supporting Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4

2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We do fight.

The Greek word agonizomai means to struggle or wrestle. But we don't fight against people; we fight for truth.

The world fights to win. The Kingdom fights to witness.

You cannot fight the Devil with the Devil’s tools.

The power to kill is weakness; The power to die is strength.

John 18:37 NIV

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Look at the irony of this scene.

Pilate has the legions of Rome. Jesus has nothing but His voice. Pilate can take a life. Jesus is about to lay His life down.

Where is Rome today? Its statues are broken. Its armies are dust. But the Kingdom of the Jesus?—the Kingdom of Jesus—has covered the globe.

Think about the cosmic scale of this. The One who spoke galaxies into existence stood silent before a petty politician. Why? To show us that Truth outlasts the Sword.

Violence may kill a messenger, but it cannot kill the message.

Colossians 2:15 NIV

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Jesus did indeed go to the cross— he was brutally murdered by the Roman government— by the prompting of the Jewish religious leaders and crowds.

The Cross looked like defeat, but it was the disarming of worldly power.

Pilate’s peace ended because it was built on blood. Jesus’ peace is eternal because it is built on sacrificial love.

The world’s power ended life with a cross, yet Jesus’ Kingdom originates life from it.

Conclusion: The Barabbas Choice

The Application: This trial isn't just history; it's a choice happening in your heart this week.

When you are in conflict with your spouse...

When you feel threatened by the world in some way...

When you want to force a result at work...

The Question: Will you choose the way of Barabbas (force, intimidation, "winning" through violence)? Or will you serve the Prince of Peace?

We cannot be violent servants of a non-violent King. Put down the sword. Take up the cross. Witness to the Truth.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Activist)

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for trying to build Your Kingdom with the world's blueprints. Teach us the courage of the empty hand. Make us citizens of the Kingdom that is from above. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Amen.