Notes on “Everyone Who Belongs”

This is the conclusion of the Christian year. Our friends in the Jewish tradition end the High Holy Days with Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. It is a time to look back on the previous year and to atone for or “clean up” (kippurim literally means cleansing) our wrongdoings from the past.

As we approach the end of our Christian year with Reign of Christ Sunday (sometimes called Christ the King), we might consider where we place Christ in our lives. Have we kept Jesus at the center of our awareness, remembering his parables and teachings? Have we remembered each day and even each moment to follow the commands to love God with all that we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves? Have we allowed Christ to reign in our hearts?

Perhaps the end of this Christian year is an opportunity for us to reflect on these things.

John 18:33-37 (NRSV)

³³ Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” ³⁵ Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” ³⁶ Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” ³⁷ Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that 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.”

Consider these questions:

1. As you read this text, and informed by your broader understanding, what is the distinction between Pilate, the Roman representative to the region, and Jesus? How do you see them differently?
2. Do you think Jesus’ declaration that his kingdom is not from this world would have confused Pilate, relieved Pilate (because Jesus would no longer be a threat), or made him more hostile against Jesus? Something else?
3. What might it mean for Jesus’ kingdom to not be of this world?
4. Jesus ends this part of the conversation by switching themes to truth. How is living in God’s kingdom related to living in the truth? 
5. How can living in the truth of God’s kingdom help us to live a life that matters?