Out of this World

John 18:33-37

Sometimes when people have the pleasure of experiencing something that is magnificent and amazing, something that is exceptional, that exceeds anything that they could have imagined; they would describe such an experience as being “Out of this world!” Meaning that it is hard to find anything that is comparable - it’s in a class all by itself.

To say something or someone is out of this world, is the greatest compliment one can give.

But beyond that, at an even deeper level, to describe something as being “Out of this world” speaks to an uncommon experience that originates outside of oneself and one’s understanding of things. It speaks of something that is both inspired and inspiring; that elevates our thinking and changes our lives, because it opens us up to us a whole new level of meaning and understanding and appreciation.

In our Gospel reading from John 18, Jesus is questioned by the Roman Governor Pilate, who is particularly interested in the claim that Jesus is “The King of the Jews”. In answer to Pilate’s question: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said “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.” (John 18:36).

It was an answer that Pilate obviously was not expecting, and clearly did not understand, and its an answer that we need to think deeply about as we seek to be faithful followers of Jesus, the Christ.

We are supposed to be people of the kingdom of God. We are supposed to live under and reflect the reign of Christ and of God. Christ himself has urged us to “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6: 33), and he taught us to pray that “God’s kingdom come and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6: 10)

But what does it mean for us when Jesus says, “My kingdom is not from this world”?

It says at least two things. It says that what Jesus calls us unto, is something that is exceptional – life experiences that are meaningful and fulfilling. It speaks of a relationship that is both inspired and inspiring; that elevates our thinking and changes our lives because it opens us up to a whole new level of meaning and understanding and appreciation.  A relationship that, if we trust God and allow ourselves to be drawn fully into it, will prove to be one that exceeds anything that we can imagine.

It may be hard for us to see it and accept it, but the experience of life that Christ calls us unto is one that is in every sense, “out of this world”. I can understand the difficulties we may have comprehending such a relationship, because for one thing, it does not quite square with a lot of our own reality and experiences.

You may wonder, if this relationship is so exceptional, why then is my life so ordinary? If this relationship is so fulfilling and inspiring, why then is there so much fear and doubt in my life? If this relationship changes my life, why then I am still wrestling with the old problems of sickness and need and sin? If it opens up a whole new level of meaning and appreciation, why am I not feeling more joyful and excited and confident?

It is important for us to understand that while Jesus calls us unto an experience of life that is “out of this world”, that is not to say that it’s an existence that removes us from this world, that insulates us from the problems of life. Rather, it’s a life that is lived in this world in the midst of all the brokenness and pain, the disappointments and failures, the anxieties and fears, in the midst of evil and sin. It’s not about transforming our world into a paradise, where everything is good and life is easy, it’s about changing and enabling us to live with courage and confidence, with hope and joy in the midst of all that is broken and wrong within us and in our world.

It’s about the courage to face our adversities and setbacks and keep pressing ahead. It’s about the confidence we have that we are not alone – that God is with us. It’s the hope that under God’s reign, good will ultimately prevail over evil, and wrongs will ultimately be made right. It’s the joy of finding beauty and purpose in life, even when life it is at its worst.

I recall speaking with a member of one of my former congregations who depended on a walker to get around. She said that often when she goes to the supermarket or other places, as she takes her walker out of the car or as she puts it back, persons would stop and offer to help. She said she would politely decline the help, not because she was too proud to accept help, but because the action of lifting the walker in and out of the car helped her to maintain strength in her arms, without which she will be unable to support herself on the walker.

Our experience of life under God is somewhat like that. God shows us how we can find strength and live purposefully and joyfully even when we are dealing with life altering situations. That’s what makes our lives exceptional.

There is nothing exceptional about sailing through life when the way is easy and the burden is light. But it takes a lot of faith and hope to wake up in the morning when there is little to wake up to. It takes a lot of strength and courage to get back up when you have been knocked down. It takes a lot of love to open yourself to others when you have been trampled upon and hurt. It takes a lot of compassion to look past your own needs and respond to the needs of others.

That’s what makes your experience of life exceptional and fulfilling, that’s what makes it out of this world. And that’s what God in Christ calls us unto to.

My kingdom is not from this world”

By that, Jesus is also saying to us that what he calls us unto is different - radically different to so much that we see and experience in life.

He says “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.” In other words, if my kingdom were from this world, I would have used the means and methods of this world to promote and protect it. But it is different!

The kingdom of God is not built on the dominance of power, but on the laws of love and humility. Not on greed and exploitation but on compassion and generosity. It does not sanction discrimination and segregation; but promotes healing and reconciliation. It does not bow to cultural norms and political demands; but transforms and elevates them.

What God call us unto is often contrary to what the world pursues and values. It is often contrary to our own impulses and inclinations. God does not look to our customs, cultures and values to approve and validate what God does and what God requires of us.

God calls us to a life that is different, because God intends to make a difference in a world that cries out for change and renewal. But it is impossible to bring about change by employing the same means and mindset that created the problem in the first instance. We cannot make a difference if we are not different ourselves.

When we open our lives to the direction and influence of Christ, when we seek after the kingdom of God, we are setting out on a path that is different to the ways of this world. A path of transformation and renewal. A path of reconciliation and wholeness. It takes much courage and great faith, but that’s what makes it all exceptional.

And we can be exceptional, not because we are great, but because of God’s grace, which is truly amazing and out of this world.