John…on Love

We try really hard, it seems, to fit Jesus, the Son and God, the Father into a box with lines and corners, confined to a small space of occupation in our minds. Everyone, at times, puts these limitations on our limitless God who created all things just by speaking it into existence. How thoughtless of us.

We were born into a corrupt world that thinks and acts differently than Jesus. Leadership, in the world’s view is having all your ducks in a row, then shooting them down if necessary to get the job done of whatever goal they were trying accomplish to look good, feel good and be on top.

Worldview leadership is defined as being bold, taking no prisoners, lying if necessary, being cunning, slick and crafty, able to put a “spin” on all information so that they come out ahead and, again, look good and right to those they are trying to lead. Worldview leaders seek power, not for the good of the people, but for themselves. If something is accomplished and a few benefit, then all the better and that is publicized to the max!…No matter that it brought others down to make it happen.

Do you and I limit God by trying to define Him, put Him into our perspective, have a “place” for Him in our hearts without Him having our WHOLE heart, mind and soul? Mm. This is what I am meditating about as we read the next passage I would like to call, “Not the World’s Kind of King”…the very words Jesus spoke as He is being accused for being the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

John, The Message
28-29 They led Jesus then from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s palace. It was early morning. They themselves didn’t enter the palace because they didn’t want to be disqualified from eating the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and spoke. “What charge do you bring against this man?”

30 They said, “If he hadn’t been doing something evil, do you think we’d be here bothering you?”

31-32 Pilate said, “You take him. Judge him by your law.”

The Jews said, “We’re not allowed to kill anyone.” (This would confirm Jesus’ word indicating the way he would die.)

33 Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus. He said, “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?”

35 Pilate said, “Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?”

36 “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.”

37 Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?”

Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.”

38-39 Pilate said, “What is truth?”

Then he went back out to the Jews and told them, “I find nothing wrong in this man. It’s your custom that I pardon one prisoner at Passover. Do you want me to pardon the ‘King of the Jews’?”

40 They shouted back, “Not this one, but Barabbas!” Barabbas was a Jewish freedom fighter.

The religious leaders tried to define Him. The world leaders try to define Him. Then they rejected Him because they could not.

We still try to define Him today. We do not define God. He defines us!

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to understand that it truly is NOT about us. It’s about You. Your Word is all about You! YOU are GOD, Jehovah…and we are not. Give us wisdom, insight and understanding along with your gift of peace to know we will never know all about You but we can still love You with all our heart, mind and soul. I give You me, all of me. You do not just have a place in my heart, you have the run of my whole heart. Thank you for not being the world’s kind of king, but being our LORD of lords and KING of kings forevermore.
In Jesus Name, Amen