Gospel

Different Kingdoms

by Roland Crim
06/08/17
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When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. Luke 23:8-11 NIV

When Herod saw Jesus, I believe the fear he had was in what type of power Jesus might have, and how it would threaten His kingdom. Kings considered the power of their kingdom versus the power of other kings. Therefore, Herod wanted Jesus to perform a sign. Herod wanted to equate the power of Jesus to a potential threat to his kingdom. However, Jesus was not a threat to the kingdom of Herod. Why is that? The reason is that the kingdoms of these two were far different. Herod’s kingdom was an earthly one. His kingdom would last only as long as his soldiers were powerful enough to withstand another kingdom’s army, or until Herod passed on. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, and it is eternal. Even though Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, it certainly is advanced by those who belong to Christ. Also, Christ’s kingdom cannot possibly be overthrown, like that of an earthly kingdom.

When Jesus did not answer the questions of Herod, nor perform any sign, Herod concluded that Jesus was no threat to his kingdom. In his eyes, this man Jesus was nothing more than a “fake” in terms of being a king. Thus, king Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus, dressing Him in an elegant robe. When they had had enough of their “fun”, they sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Make no mistake. There is no comparison between any earthly kingdom and the kingdom of God. The only eternal kingdom belongs to God. Live and work for the advancement of the eternal kingdom of God.