Jesus answered Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
John 18:33-37
34th SUN CHRIST THE KING Year B
In battles of long ago there was always the standard bearer among the fighting soldiers. His task was to raise up high the king’s flag so that every soldier seeing the banner would not get lost too far within the enemy lines.
We are soldiers of Christ the King. At all times we have to look up to check whether we are still with Christ’s army or have gone far away.
Pilate asked Jesus if he were a king. Jesus answered positively but immediately modified His answer saying “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”
Jesus further said “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Jesus’ Kingdom is a kingdom justice, peace and truth. Thus He entered Jerusalem riding not a horse but a donkey to promote peace and not conflict. He would wear a crown of thorns, hold iron nails as His scepter and sit on a wooden cross for a throne.