Untitled Sermon

John 18:33–37 NIV

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.”

Daniel 7:9–10 NIV

9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:13–14 NIV

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

What a Contrast!

King’s responsibilities:

Raising an army

collecting taxes

conscription for government service

administering civil, military & religious affairs

domestic infrastructure building

diplomatic relations

international trade

justice - final appeal

most important - divine covenant

So, What is Jesus Doing in John 18?

raising an army & conscripting for government service

engaging in diplomatic relations

building the infrastructure

paying (!) the taxes

enacting justice

most of all submitting to the divine covenant on our behalf

Oh! That’s Why!

That’s why Jesus is given all that authority and power and dominion in Daniel.

That’s why Jesus is our King—he has claimed us, and we have answered.

So What?

Our loyalty belongs to Jesus…not to Canada, or to neighbours, or to spouses, or to family or to charitable organizations, or companies, or sports teams.

What part is God having you play right now? Are you a soldier? A “government official”? Are you building infrastructure? Enacting justice? —All of the above!

Don’t get confused. Keep your loyalty focused on Jesus and his kingdom alone! Don’t confuse Canada (or anything else) with the Kingdom of God! They’re not the same!

Why?

Because, what’s the alternative?

Because the Kingdom of God is so much better than any earthly kingdom

Because Jesus is the King who gave his life for you!

Because he did so, even though you were one of the rebels fighting him.