Not of this World
Solemnity of Christ the King
Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37
The vision of “One like a Son of Man” coming on the clouds (Dan. 7:13) was preceded by a vision of four dreadful beasts. They all represent ungodly empires established by human beings. They were oppressive, cruel, corrupt, and devour their citizens (Dan. 7:2-8). Then the “Ancient of Days” - God - decided that enough was enough and judged those earthly kingdoms putting an end to their reign (Dan. 7:9-12).
“My kingdom is not of this world”. Both the Jews and the Gentiles understood the title “king” in political terms. When the magi announced the birth of a new king to King Herod he was paralyzed by fear (Matt. 2:1-3). After the miracle of bread, the crowd wanted to proclaim Jesus as their king (John 6:15). They reckoned that a person with such enormous miraculous powers could easily defeat the Romans. Finally, for Pontius Pilate, this title was a threat to the Emperor of Rome. Jesus, however, poses no threat to any civil authority.
It is not only Jesus’ kingdom that is not of this world. Jesus Himself is not of this world (John 8:23) - He comes from the Father (John 16:28). Moreover, we, His disciples, are not of this world either (John 17:14). By believing in Christ, by uniting ourselves to His death and resurrection in the sacrament of baptism, we are chosen out of the world (John 15:19) and receive the Spirit of adoption that enables us to pray, “ABBA, Father” (Gal 4:6). Now, we are “kingdom” for God the Father (Rev. 1:6).
Although, we are not of this world, yet we are in this world. This brings a twofold challenge. On the one hand, like Jesus, we are called to give witness to the truth. On the other hand, we need to avoid the evil one. Not an easy task indeed. Therefore, Jesus intercedes with the Father that we be kept from the evil one and sanctified in the Father’s truth (John 17:15-17).
“I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). What is that truth? (John 18:38). God is love (1 John 4:8); He loves us His prodigal children and calls us back to Himself in Christ. “Everyone being of the truth hears” Christ’s voice (John 18:37). Jesus calls us to repentance and faith (Mark 1:15) and to obey this call means to acknowledge the truth that without God we are lost. Tragically, not all have this faith (2 Thess. 3:2).
“Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!” (Mark 11:10). Pilate represents an oppressive empire and Jesus embodies the kingdom of God. A human meets the Son of God, a representative of a beastly like empire meets someone who is truly human - Jesus, the Son of Man. Then, the trial begins. But whose trial is it? Pilate's and all the authority he represents. The kingdom of Christ has come, “a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace” (Preface of Christ the King of Universe). Amen.