This year has seemed to be one of upheaval. The coronavirus made the world screech to a halt and claimed many lives, and we’ve now seen rioting in major cities due to people’s outrage over police brutality. We’re looking at some of the lowest confidence in our institutions than we’ve seen in years: Political institutions are failing at justice, protection, and leadership. As that happens, people are turning on each other, looking at others with different skin color, socioeconomic status, and political alignment as the enemy. As I look around at what is happening, it just strikes me how steeped in sin humanity is. We may make some improvements, but it’s an uphill battle and one that we will never win on our own. There’s a futility to the kingdoms of the world that is impossible to shake.
This is why Jesus’ words to Pontius Pilate are so important. In John 18:36, Jesus told him, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Jesus’ message was clear: He was not concerned about fighting for worldly power because that wasn’t going to solve anything. Instead, he let himself be arrested, tried unfairly, and executed because his kingdom is categorically different. It’s a kingdom that does not fail, that is not built on the blood of enemies but on the blood of the Savior King, and that is not subject to broken patterns of the world. This is the kingdom that all who have faith in Christ belong to before one is a citizen of any country.
This doesn’t mean we don’t try to enact God’s commands right now, but it does mean we look ahead to what is promised by Christ. Everything else will fall short, so we should not get caught up in power squabbles. That might make our journey lonely sometimes as all sides take potshots at us for being different, but Jesus also said that the world would hate his disciples. However, Jesus himself will never abandon us or let his church dissolve.
I don’t put hope in government, a political figure, or a movement. Those things come and go, beset with great flaws. But God’s kingdom? It will be eternal, and the king will be perfect and just. That’s the one I’m looking forward to, and the one that gives me hope in times like this. -Isak Lee
One Light Church 