Christ the King November 25, 2018

Reflection on the WORD

“King of the Jews”: In today’s Gospel, Pilate could not comprehend when Jesus said, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world.”  Many of us think we know Jesus as our Risen Lord who is offering us eternal life.  However, our lives may not witness to this Truth.  Jesus is still not always our focus and highest priority in our life.

Jn 18:33b-37

‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others said it to you about me?’ 

Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ 

Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.’ 

Pilate said, ‘So, then you are a king.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • In today’s Gospel Jesus tells Pilate that He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one. He promises His disciples that if they continue to believe in His word, they would know the Truth and the Truth would set them free. 
  • Through the gift of faith, God enables us to understand and believe that He has redeemed us by sending His Son as our Saviour and that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. 
  • Jesus suffered injustice and abuse to redeem the world and won for us pardon for our sins and reconciliation with our Creator and God. Ask the Lord to give us courage always to choose what is right and to avoid what is evil.