Psalm 8:1

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in John 18. I thrilled again, like it was the first time I read “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground” (John 18:6).  I marveled, again, at the manly bravery of Peter, and the greater courage that Jesus called for (John 18:10-11). Wept, again, when Peter faltered (John 18:16-18, 25-27). Saw in the mock trial the same spirit mocking justice, judgment, and equity today, particularly among the Christ-denying hypocrites (John 18:19-24; 28). But it was in the interrogation of Pilate that the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind, particularly verses 36-38a:

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? 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. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?

Along the still waters, I set my mind to mull Christ’s words, to chew them, to ponder and deliberate.

“My kingdom,” called “the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13), is not of this world—the word of from the Greek ἐκ (ek), “denoting origin” (Strong 1537).

Every kingdom parable describes God’s kingdom as it is active in the world today (Matthew 13). We were translated, transferred, into His kingdom by the Spirit of God when He “delivered us from the power (exousia-authority) of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). Jesus did not say His kingdom was not in the world. He expressly prayed that we were not to be removed from the world (John 17:15-18). We are “in” the world, but not “of” it. His Kingdom is “in” the world, but not “of” it.

Every preposition of place applies to His Kingdom: in, on, above, across, against (Ephesians 6:12-21), around, at, behind, below, and between—likewise, every preposition of time and movement. Of the more than 100 prepositions used in the English language, the only one that cannot be used in reference to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is found in the expression of the world. Otherwise, we may put any preposition between the expression Christ’s Kingdom and world. Including in.

Jesus is King of His kingdom, He is Prince over all the kings of the Earth (Revelation 1:5), and His disciples are kings and priests in His Kingdom (Revelation 1:6). These “kings and priests” are commissioned to be His Ambassadors, representing His kingdom to the kingdoms of this world.

In the valley, shadowed by His Cross, I knelt before my King, who, in a figure, long ago by it dubbed me His servant and granted to me citizenship in His kingdom that is in but not of this world. Daily, I am reminded: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I do!

At His table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed close.

Today, we pause to remember the short but impactful life of a man named Charles (meaning free man) Kirk (meaning church). He loved freedom, and He loved the Head of the Lord’s Church. He used the sword of the Spirit to deliver minds from the darkness of this world. He sought first the kingdom! Now he is with his King.

Praying for revival! 🙏