Standing for the Truth

KEY VERSE: “Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” —John 18:37

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 18:28-40

THE NATION OF ISRAEL was too blinded by their sinful and evil ways to accept so noble a character as Jesus. He was hated by the rulers of his day, and charges were brought against him aimed at his life. One of the charges was that he claimed to be a king. He was brought before Pilate, the Roman governor, for trial, and was asked, “Art thou a king?” (John 18:37) to which he replied, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.” In making this statement, he knew that he was in effect sentencing himself to death, because such a claim would be considered treason against Caesar.

When the governor realized he could do nothing more to save Jesus’ life, he permitted his soldiers to place a crown of thorns upon the prisoner’s head, and showing him to the people, he cried, “Behold the man!” But they shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him!”—John 19:1-6

While the future king of earth voluntarily surrendered himself to his enemies, his manner of life and death nonetheless changed the course of the world in a manner never matched before or since. While this king was crucified by his people, the religion which bore his name was made the official state religion of all Europe; however, this was done contrary to his teachings. In his name some of the bloodiest wars of history were fought; but he himself was a peacemaker who taught his followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who despitefully used them. He taught that those who wield the sword would perish with the sword.—Matt. 26:52

And so it has been. The kings, civil and religious, who now have had their day, built up their kingdoms in the name of Christ and tried to maintain them by the power of the sword; but they have all perished. The use of swords has failed as a method for setting up Christ’s kingdom in earth. Those who have tried to force their erroneous concept of that kingdom upon mankind have seen, and continue to see, their objectives die.

That is why the world needs a new king, one who will discard the principles and methods which have always failed and which will continue to fail; one whose ideology is that of goodwill among all and for all; one who is backed up by power other than that of the sword, even the power of the Creator himself; one who manifested such genuine and loving interest in his subjects that he gladly died for them—dying even the cruel death of the cross. Such a one will be the world’s new king. He is Jesus of Nazareth.

They crucified Jesus, but he told his disciples that he would come again, and taught them to pray for the kingdom which he would establish. The brightness of the hope that radiates from this promise is in the fact that the day in which Jesus is to be king is already dawning. It is a dark and stormy dawn, but the light of his presence and the power of his kingdom will soon become manifest, and the darkness of the early morning hours will give way to the brightness of a new day of peace and joy and life for all mankind!

The promise of God through Jacob, that out of Judah would come one called “Shiloh,” ‘peacemaker’, and that “unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen. 49:10) will find its glorious fulfillment in the kingdom, for King Jesus will be that Shiloh and unto him, and under his banner of love the people will be gathered and blessed. All nations will call him blessed. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isa. 9:7) “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish.” (Ps. 72:6,7) “They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” (vss. 9,11) All these heart-cheering promises will be fulfilled in the “new heavens and new earth.”—II Pet. 3:13

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