Life in the Kingdom

A couple of weeks ago I used John 18 as my text. This is passage where Jesus told Pilate that he was a king. But not the king of this world, he is the king of truth. It hit me that Jesus the king of truth dies to usher in his kingdom. He could have spared his own life, and become a king of the world, taking power from Pilate, or even the Emperor in Rome. This is what Satan tempted Jesus with, all the kingdoms of the world. Satan feared what the kingdom of truth would usher in. Hebrews 13:12-14 talks about Jesus sacrifice, “So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore.” (NLT) When Jesus died to usher in Kingdom of Truth, it wasn’t to we could have an easy prosperous life. It was so that we could follow his example and give our lives in service to him. This world is not the end all and be all, verse 14 reminds us of that, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (NLT) The gift of salvation is supposed to free us to live.

On the lighter side
Once upon a time, long ago, there lived a sailor named Captain Bravo. He was a manly man's man, who showed no fear when facing his enemies.

One day, while sailing the Seven Seas, his lookout spotted a pirate = ship, and the crew became frantic.

Captain Bravo bellowed, "Bring me my red shirt!" The first mate quickly retrieved the captain's red shirt, and while wearing the brightly colored frock, the Captain led his crew into battle and defeated the pirates.

That evening, all the men sat around on the deck recounting the day's triumph. One of them asked the Captain, "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before battle?"

The captain replied, "If I am wounded in the attack, the shirt will not show my blood. Thus, you men will continue to fight, unafraid."

All of the men sat in and marveled at the courage of such a manly man's man.

As dawn came the next morning, the lookout spotted not one, not two, but TEN pirate ships approaching. The crew stared in worshipful silence at the captain and waited for his usual orders.

Captain Bravo gazed with steely eyes upon the vast armada arrayed against his ship, and without fear, turned and calmly shouted, "Get me my brown pants!"