James Nisbet Commentary - John 18:37 - 18:37

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James Nisbet Commentary - John 18:37 - 18:37


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THE KING JESUS

‘Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.’

Joh_18:37

It was not as the Son of God that Jesus said this, but as the Son of Man. It would have been nothing that the Second Person in the Blessed Trinity should have been ‘a King.’ Of course He was; and much more than ‘a King.’ But that poor, weak, despised Man—that was standing there before Pontius Pilate—that was ‘a King.’ And all Scripture confirms it. It was the manhood of Christ that was there. This is the marvel, and here is the comfort.

I. God having elected Christ to His throne, put all that is in heaven and earth under His feet.—‘For when He saith, All things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted’—that is, the Father—‘which did put all things under Him.’ This reign of Christ will certainly be to the end of this dispensation. When this dispensation will end, and what will come after it, we do not know. It is safest here to keep to the exact letter of God’s Word. Now see it.

II. The subjugation of the universe to the King Christ is now going on.—And it is very gradual. ‘We see not yet all things put under Him.’ Little by little it is extending itself. ‘One of a city, two of a family.’ The increase will grow rapid and immense. When He comes again, at once, to Him ‘every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear.’ The promise to Abraham and to David will be fulfilled to the seed, even to the world’s end. ‘There will be one Lord, and His name one.’

III. ‘Thy kingdom come.’—How much of that rich prayer is yet answered? how much are we waiting for? Three things it means. ‘Thy kingdom’ in my heart: ‘Thy kingdom’ over all the nations: ‘Thy kingdom’ at the Second Advent.

(a) The throne of God is set up for me. Sin is there. But now sin is only a rebel. It does not reign—as it once did.

(b) It is being accomplished; and God bless the missions!

(c) We long and look for it with outstretched neck, and hail each gleam of the horizon.

IV. Mercy dwells with the King.—At His throne ‘mercy and truth have met together; and righteousness and peace have kissed each other.’ Appeal only to the anointed ‘King’ of the whole earth. Remind Him of His own absolute will and power. Tell Him that He is ‘King’ to this very end, that mercy may prevail over judgment; and that He is gone up to ‘receive gifts’—the precious gift of life—‘for men, yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them’; and see, see whether He will not stretch out His sceptre to you, and say, ‘Live.’ ‘Shall any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over all Israel?’ ‘Deliver Him from going down to the pit—I have found a ransom.’

And when you go to this King in prayer—as you may always—for He always sits in His audience chamber to hear the suit of His meanest subjects—remind Him that ‘you are going to a King’;—a ‘King’ of power illimitable, and love with no bound; a ‘King,’ Who has once purchased to Himself, with His own Blood, the right to be ‘Head over His Church.’ And expect, and command it to your heart. He will give royally. Not according to the mean giving of poor, puny, upbraiding men—but after His own large heart and unbounded sway.’

—
Rev. James Vaughan.