John 18:33-37 (NRSV)
Read John 18:33-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Verse 34Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Verse 35Pilate 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?" Verse 36Jesus 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." Verse 37Pilate 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."
Devotion
POWER, not grasped.
In the USA today we are pausing to give thanks in our state-religion sort of way. Many of us will go deeper into gratitude for a thousand things—to paraphrase Gerhard Frost: To have the gift and know the Giver is Grace indeed.
As we near Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year, the gospel reading leads us to reflect more deeply on the way this world's concepts of Power are stood on their head. Pilate will never understand. The election is about to go to Barabbas; the chaotic waters are rising up once again. The verdict will be "Loser!" And the crowds will soon go home.
Until—until they are surprised by Love. It takes the gift of Spirit-led eyes to see the Cross as the Throne of the King. We have much to stir our Gratitude. This is Truth.
Prayer
Today's prayer is one I have taught our young grandchildren—it is a prayer of thanksgiving, simply focused around 2 L's and 3 F's:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
For Life and Love,
For Family, Friends and Food,
We ask your blessing, and
We say thank you. Amen.