Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from
God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Amen!
What is the most important part of
buying a house? It is the same word three times. The most important
consideration that I have heard is “Location, Location, Location!” That makes
sense, we want to be in just the right place when it comes to where we live. We
want to be in that place that suits our needs. Some people like to live in the
city…feel the hustle and bustle, attend events, and be able to get around
fairly easy. Some of us like living in the suburbs where it is quiet. There are
some stores but not too many. It might take a little while to drive to get
somewhere. There are many factors that go into finding that one perfect…or near
perfect place to live.
Today’s reading of John speaks of a
particular place…a kingdom, in fact. Jesus has been arrested, really the term
is handed over, and he is take to Pontius Pilate. The chief priests take Jesus
to Pilate, the Roman Authority thinking that if they tell them that Jesus says
he is King, then Pilate will step in for Rome because Rome is in control of the
region and any threats to the Roman Empire will be dealt with. So, Jesus is
taken here in the hopes that the Romans will deal with him.
Pilate asks Jesus that all important
question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” It is an important question with many
implications, depending on how Jesus will answer. What really got me thinking
this past week is Jesus’ statement “my kingdom is not of this world…” His
Kingdom is not of this world! Some of you might be asking why this would
astound me! It seems like a “no brainer,” doesn’t it? Some of you might be
thinking that, of course, it is a no brainer because Jesus is the Son of God,
right! That is so simple that even our young people could get that one!
But sit and really think about what
that means. Jesus, a King, has a kingdom somewhere else…not of this world. What
other world is there. And I am sure you might be saying, duh, pastor, ITS
HEAVEN!!!! If we are to look at it in the black and white terms, it would be an
easy answer. There are two kingdoms, the one on earth and the one in heaven.
Pretty cut and dry; you have this one kingdom here and the other one up there.
But like all things, it is not as
simple as it sounds. It is not simple because we recognize Jesus as God’s Son,
right? Our Gospel of John tells us who Jesus is: “in the beginning was the
Word…and the Word became flesh.” We have a Trinitarian faith; meaning, God,
Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, right? This
whole thing becomes complicated because Jesus, God’s Son, is in this Kingdom.
Jesus is not in some far off Kingdom. Jesus is here, in the flesh, right?
The mere presence of Jesus in this
world brings that, what seemed to be far off kingdom, into this world full of
earthly kingdoms. Jesus is in the world. That line or whatever the border was
between the two kingdoms is no more. There is no border because Jesus is in the
world. This is where the two kingdoms intersect; that kingdom that seemed so
far off is now in the world.
But what does it mean? For the
people of Jesus’ time, there were these two kingdoms. God was in this far off
place and basically said, “Hey, I am giving this to you to take care of. Here
ya go!” And almost from the very beginning it went downhill from there. The
humans…the people that God put on the planet began doing things for themselves.
God talked to them and gave them laws to follow, told them what to do, and gave
them food to eat when it seemed like they would starve. Some people became
powerful rulers and started abusing their power. They believed that God gave
them the power and in the Roman’s case the leaders thought they were elevated to
the status of God.
The people living under this power
were not treated very well. We know the story of Cane and Abel. One exerted
power over the other. Stories keep going like that of rulers keeping the people
in line and the people crying out to this far off God. It seems fair that they
would think that God is far off and they might wonder if God is even hearing
them at all!
That is where this other Kingdom
intersects the earthly kingdom. Jesus is now in the world. He brings this
Kingdom into the world of earthly. This kingdom that he brings is something
very different than what people are used to. Because, in this kingdom that
Jesus is from is the heavenly kingdom. It is a kingdom that brings healing.
Healing for those who have cried out to the Lord for their prayers to be heard.
Healing for those who are suffering from starvation. He brings healing for
those who are considered unworthy of God’s love (by human definition), and he
brings the gifts of mercy and forgiveness. It is the mercy…God’s mercy for
everyone who seeks to know God and want to be a part of God’s kingdom.
And, of course, there is
forgiveness…God’s forgiveness that is offered. Jesus is pointing out that God’s
forgiveness is offered to all who seek it; whether it be the oppressed or the
oppressor, This Kingdom that Jesus is the king of is one that allows and
invites all to God’s table of forgiveness. We know that to be true because of
the communion table which we are all invited to receive that forgiveness. This
Kingdom of Jesus is offered to the people of Jesus time and place who are
crying out to the Lord and who seek God to be with them.
This Kingdom of Jesus intersects
with us as well. We know all the things going on in the world. We are reminded,
every day, of people wielding power, abusing their positions, hurting each
other…neighbors, family members, friends. I am sure we have all experienced
that hurt and pain in our lives, at one point or another. And it is not easy
living in this earthly kingdom. Sometimes we have to make tough choices!
Sometimes, we are the ones doing the hurting.
Today,
this other kingdom that Jesus speaks of is with us just as it was with the
people of Jesus’ time. We are witness to this dialogue between Jesus and
Pilate, we cry out to the Lord for God’s intervention in our own lives in some
way shape or form. We listen to God’s word through the words and actions of
God’s Son, Jesus Christ. That same mercy and forgiveness is offered to us and
for us. It is offered to others just as it is offered to us. We spend time in
this world that Jesus talks about in our worship and fellowship times, our
ministries, Sunday school, bible study, choir…you know those places where we
lift one another up in support and prayer, fun and laughter and tears and hugs.
The kingdom that Jesus talks about
is in the here and now. They intersect through our baptism, and through the
sacrament of Holy Communion. It is the Kingdom of God’s love and protection,
God’s Kingdom of grace, mercy, and healing. AND, through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ it is the kingdom of eternal life. The question can then
become, “which kingdom do you want to spend most of your time?” Location,
Location, Location: Amen!
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