Clash of Kingdoms
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S.W.O.T
S.W.O.T
Have you ever heard of the acronym SWOT?
I’ve run into this a few different times in various leadership books, seminars, and resources.
It stands for:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
When organizations and individuals go through a SWOT assessment, they look at what they are good at (strengths), where they have weaknesses, what opportunities are on the horizon, and what threats may jeopardize their mission or even their very existence.
When organizations go through these types of assessments, they can take several hours or even several days to carefully analyze these elements for their organization.
A careful understanding of the impact of these measurements is valuable for an organization or even an individual. Failure to properly assess these can result in misguided decisions and miscalculated actions.
Of these four, the one that seems like it can cause the greatest harm to a group is threats. Not understanding the threats and not responding properly to them can be catastrophic.
I bring that up today, because as we continue our study in the book of John, we come to a section of scripture that is fueled threats. This passage reveals stark contrasts between what threatens earthly kingdoms and what doesn’t threaten God’s Kingdom.
Let me set this up for us for a moment.
Turn in your Bibles to John 11. This is the chapter where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Most likely, this took place about 6 months before Jesus’ crucifixion - and the chapter that we’re looking at today.
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
So, notice, that the religious leaders are clearly threatened by Jesus’ influence and his growing popularity. They are fearful - from earthly measurements - that they will lose their position and authority - their power. Unfortunately they are overlooking the fact that He is the fulfillment of all that they had been hoping for.
But look at what happens next:
But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
So, the high priest, the leader of this ruling council calms the group with a profound prophecy - that Jesus would die for the nation and bring unity.
That begs the question: Where do prophecies come from?
God
So, here in this prophecy and the in the actions of the council you have two kingdoms colliding. The religious leaders seem to be viewing the prophecy in one way - resulting in greater power and influence.
As we see throughout the rest of scripture, God seemed to give this prophecy in order to accomplish something completely different, something grander - salvation for people of every nation, tribe, and language.
So, over the next few months, the religious leaders gather material for their case against Jesus - their biggest threat. Meanwhile, Jesus continues to preach and teach about the Kingdom of God.
So, we come to the passage we are considering today - John 18-19, where Jesus is placed on trial before Pilate.
This trial takes place because the Roman authorities prohibited Jewish rulers from executing someone. Even though their religious laws may have demanded death - the religious leaders could not mete out that judgement - so they needed Pilate’s conviction as well.
In light of this passage, we can discern several things that threaten earthly kingdoms. For the purposes of our conversation - let’s consider two threats to earthly kingdoms and how those may or may not affect God’s Kingdom.
First of all, we learn that...
Earthly Kingdoms are threatened by influence
Earthly Kingdoms are threatened by influence
Jesus had gained so much influence and popularity that the Religious Leaders - thinking in earthly terms were threatened by Jesus.
So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
They could not control Jesus. His growing popularity threatened their authority.
We see this in various political movements
Black Lives Matter
TEA Party
#MeToo movement
Political leaders will acquiesce and accommodate groups that might aid their their ability to lead and rule, squashing groups that threaten that.
But, when you really look at the influence of Jesus - he was calling people back to a proper understanding of God and His Kingdom. He was calling people to true repentance.
He was a legitimate threat to the leadership of the religious leaders because he undermined their controlling reign - calling people to a direct relationship with God.
One of the things that we have to keep in mind is that the earthly kingdom here is represented both by the religious leaders and by the political leaders - namely Pilate.
For Pilate - he knows that the religious leaders wield a lot of influence in his region - so he has to carefully balance a heavy handed rule and a cooperation with the religious influencers. He’s walking a tight-rope that is perilously threatening.
I think the religious leaders know this. They gave Pilate enough information to call him to detach some soldiers to arrest Jesus.
After the religious trial, they simply tell Pilate:
John 18:30 (ESV)
“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”
We learn a bit later, that they must have given Pilate some information that would truly be helpful and threatening to him and to Caesar because Pilate asks Jesus:
John 18:33 (ESV)
“Are you the King of the Jews?”
This question gives us some insight into some information that the Jews must have revealed to Pilate. You see, for Jesus to be a popular teacher or miracle worker would not have been a big deal to Pilate, but for Jesus to be a King would imply that he is seeking to usurp authority and may be some sort of an insurrectionist. His influence would have political ramifications - which would threaten Pilate personally and potentially threaten Rome.
Conversely,
Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by unbiblical influence
Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by unbiblical influence
When Pilate asks Jesus if he is a King, Jesus never really admits it. All of his language seems to push back on Pilate - “you say that I am a king.”
It’s almost as though King is not the correct title - but Kingdom is.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Part of the reason God’s Kingdom/Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by unbiblical influence is that His Kingdom operates from a different viewpoint.
Earthly kingdoms hold their power by force. We see that going on between Russia and Ukraine.
We also observe that in our own political system - one person tries to wield influence over others by coercion.
Jesus even says that if his kingdom were of this world his people would fight.
Because he operates his kingdom by other rules, fighting, political games, power grabs are not a part of his kingdom.
Biblical values of humility, service, sacrifice are hallmarks of Jesus’ kingdom.
Throughout scripture God has communicated that he operates his kingdom differently than earthly kingdoms are operated.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
You see, Jesus’ kingdom will prosper, not because we pass certain laws or ensure that one party is in control over another. Jesus’ kingdom will prosper when the hearts of men and women, boys and girls are transformed by His sacrificial love, mercy, and grace.
pro life decisi
(Bobby - question about why doesn’t Jesus just conquer and force - resulting in resentment. Jesus’ kingdom is ushered in when we align ourselves with him. Then when he comes we’ll rejoice at his return rather than resent it).
Secondly,
Earthly kingdoms are threatened by popular opinion
Earthly kingdoms are threatened by popular opinion
Pilate declares Jesus’ innocence three times (John 18:38; 19:4, 6)
After the first declaration - he has Jesus flogged - because of the influence of the crowd.
It’s during this time that the soldiers give Jesus purple garments, a crown of thorns and mock him as king of the Jews.
He declares for the second time that Jesus is innocent in hopes of garnering their sympathy.
But they call for his crucifixion
After the third declaration of innocence - the Jews reveal their real reason for the death sentence - he called himself the “Son of God” (19:7)
Many political leaders were skeptical of religious things, but they were also superstitious. Roman mythology was filled with encounters between gods and humans. Pilate may be thinking - could this be one of them? If so, then now he has beaten a demi-god and is contemplating putting him to death.
Pilate is scared. He knows Jesus is innocent and does not deserve death. Now he’s beaten this man/king/god.
From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”
The crowd appeals to loyalty to the very king they despise.
Pilate is swayed and eventually releases Jesus to be crucified.
I wonder though, how often are our values influenced by popular opinion? Do we hold our beliefs and standards by the truth or God’s word or by the whims of the latest poll or popular trend?
Conversely,
Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by changing opinions
Jesus’ Kingdom is not threatened by changing opinions
Because Jesus’ kingdom is one of truth - and truth is consistent.
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
To which Pilate responds:
John 18:38 (ESV)
“What is truth?”
You see, by earthly standards, truth is personal, truth is transient, truth is variable. Truth is yours and mine and theirs.
But, when Jesus came to bear witness to the truth - he came to reveal the truth of the holiness of God. He came to reveal the truth of the sinfulness of humanity. He also came to reveal truth of the love and grace of God.
He said that “Everyone who is of the truth listens” to his voice. When we have our ears and our minds tuned to hear his truth, true truth - I believe there is true peace.
Our society has become more and more confused over truth. Truth is what we feel. Truth based on opinion. Truth is based on perspective.
That kind of truth is no truth at all.
You see, truth has a standard. Truth has a plumbline. Truth has a firm foundation.
Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is that truth!
Let me close with one final observation in this passage, that is that in spite of all of our earthly schemes...
Jesus’ Kingdom Prevails
Jesus’ Kingdom Prevails
Several commentators have noted a chiastic pattern in this passage. If you remember a chiasm is a pattern where the first and last elements of something relate to each other - they seem to work inward to a central core. Let’s look at this together.
The pattern in this passage not only works from toward a central theme, but alternates between activities that take place inside and outside: (Burge, 488)
Stanza A: 18:28-32 (outside Pilate’s chamber)
It was early
Passover
Jewish leaders cannot put a man to death (lawfully)
The type of Jesus’ death
A Jewish plea for Jesus’ death
Stanza B: 18:33-38a (inside)
Pilate does not speak on his own accord
Jesus’ origins: not of this world
Jesus is passive: he is not of this world
Stanza C: 18:38b-40 (outside)
Pilate finds no crime in him
Pilate bring Jesus out: he may be set free
Stanza D: 19:1-3 (inside)
1 Jesus flogged
2 Jesus crowned
3 JESUS ARRAYED IN A ROYAL ROBE
2’ Jesus hailed as “king”
1’ Jesus struck
(interestingly, from this point on, Pilate refers to Jesus more and more as the King of the Jews).
Stanza C’: 19:4-8 (outside)
Pilate finds no crime in Jesus
Pilate brings Jesus out: will he be set free?
Stanza B’: 19:9-11 (inside)
Pilate’s power not his own
“Where are you from?”
Jesus is passive: Pilate’s authority is from above
Stanza A’: 19:12-16 (outside)
It was late (the 6th hour)
Passover
The Jewish crowds call for death
Crucifixion
The Jewish leaders obtain Jesus’ death
What is the point?
The central element to this pattern is Jesus - crowned as King. What the romans and religious leaders did as an act of mockery, God used as a means of drawing people from all nations to Him.
Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of lords.
As King of Kings, Jesus’ kingdom is one without boundaries and ethnic limitations.
People from every nation, tribe and language
Working to capture hearts
Jesus’ kingdom is both a threat to no one and a threat to everyone at the same time.
he doesn’t threaten political boundaries, but his kingdom spans all political boundaries
He doesn’t threaten political authority, but he expects to be our highest authority
He doesn’t threaten political outcomes, but he does threaten expedient political values
Is he your king?
Are you running from the threats of earthly kingdoms or standing confidently in the assurance of God’s kingdom?
Let’s pray.
Benediction:
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Sources:
Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993