Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

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No one understood.  At least not fully.  Most didn’t understand even partially.  This certainly included Jesus’ opponents.  But it also included his closest disciples, who struggled with the concept (see Acts 1:6) until after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit opened their minds and hearts to understand.

This is rather remarkable since Jesus referred to this truth repeatedly throughout his ministry, addressing it in a multitude of manners.  (Over 120 times in the Gospels and Acts!)

Our “seemingly little thing of large significance” for today was spoken by Jesus in a fascinating conversation with the Roman governor, Pontus Pilate.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke abbreviate the talk; John, however, records their dialogue more extensively. 

Luke summarizes Jesus’ enemies’ accusations against him when they had the ear of the governor: “We have found this man subverting our nation.  He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” (Lk. 23:2).  Then John writes these words:

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

[Here comes the seemingly little thing!]  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.  In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.”  (John 18:33-38)

“My kingdom is not of this world,” the Lord told Pilate.  And we are probably quick to agree, thinking, “Of course not!  Jesus’ kingdom is in heaven!”

If so, then we show ourselves to not fully understand either – even today with all the insight the Scriptures provide.

But it’s understandable to be confused about this.  Jesus referred to his kingdom over and over as “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven.”  He even told Pilate that “my kingdom is from another place.”  Which seems to lead to the logical conclusion that Jesus is speaking about his holy, heavenly kingdom where he sits on a throne and is worshipped by angels and those believers who have entered glory after their lives on earth are over.

While that is indeed “the kingdom of heaven” – and is, in fact, the ultimate culmination of the concept – heaven actually encompasses only a portion of Jesus’ kingdom.

Read the many passages referring to God’s kingdom, (most of them spoken by Jesus), and it becomes clear that this kingdom is certainly not a physical kingdom on earth.  Nor is the kingdom of heaven limited to heaven.  Rather, it is a spiritual kingdom!

As the Apostle Paul explains so well: “For [God the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14).

Where were we?  In “the dominion of darkness.”  That is, in the kingdom of spiritual darkness.  In unbelief! 

Where are we now?  By God’s grace, we have been brought “into the kingdom of the Son” – into the Kingdom of Jesus.  That is, into the kingdom of God; into the kingdom of heaven.  Or to contrast it to “the dominion of darkness” in Colossians 1, God has transitioned us into the kingdom of spiritual light; into faith in our Savior who won our forgiveness and purchased our salvation with his suffering and death!

This is clearly not a physical or geographical kingdom. It’s a spiritual status with spiritual blessings.  Again, quoting Paul: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit …” (Romans 14:17).

An ideal earthly king provides moral stability, societal peace and personal joy to any who dwell in his kingdom.  (A worthy goal, but a wholly unreachable one in this broken world.) 

In Jesus, however, we have the ideal spiritual King who brings all who hail him as Lord and Savior incredible spiritual blessings through the moving of the Holy Spirit.  Spiritual blessings like “righteousness” – being regarded as right with God by God despite our many sins.  And the blessing of inner “peace” that derives from knowing we who are guilty are considered guiltless by the holy God.  And an unquenchable “joy” that burns bright even in life’s greatest hardships because we know we are dearly loved by God who works all things for our good. (Romans 8:28).

An earthly king or leader can’t provide these things; but Jesus, our heavenly King, can and does!

Jesus’ kingdom extends over every person whose heart is devoted to Him – whether on earth or in heaven.  All who dwell in that spiritual kingdom are abundantly blessed.  Blessed through the blessings and challenges of life on earth, and ultimately blessed forever and ever in heaven in the very presence of our King.

It’s interesting that Jesus’ kingship and kingdom were repeatedly referred to in a cruel and twisted fashion as he endured his suffering (in order to establish his spiritual kingdom!).

His enemies brought the accusation to Pilate that Jesus claimed to be an earthly king opposed to Caesar as the reason he merited capital punishment. (Lk. 23:2).

Governor Pilate repeatedly referred to Jesus as the “king of Jews” … both to Jesus (Mt. 27:11) and to Jesus’ enemies (Mk. 15:9-12).  Pilate even ordered a sign made and posted over Jesus’ cross, referring to him as “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” (Jn. 19:19).

The Roman soldiers took great delight in mocking Jesus, “the king of the Jews.” Their games at Jesus’ expense included draping a kingly robe on Jesus, impaling a crown of thorns on his head, and placing a staff his hand. They knelt in mock homage to him and spit on him.  If that wasn’t enough, they took the staff and beat down upon the crown of thorns with it. (Mt. 27:27-30).

Even as Jesus hung on the cross, the Jewish leaders didn’t miss the opportunity to ridicule him as the “King of Israel” who couldn’t save himself and who wasn’t rescued by God. (Mt. 27:41-43).

No one understood the type of King Jesus was and the Kingdom he was establishing.  Most didn’t care to understand.

God grant that we not fall into that category.  Rather, may the Spirit help us recognize and rejoice in the King Jesus is, and in the Kingdom Jesus established.  He is King of our hearts, our minds, our lives, our family, our church, our past, present and future on earth, and our eternity in heaven.  Jesus reigns over our everything!

Though he was ridiculed and even reviled as “the king of the Jews,” he is truly our King who brought us victory and entrance into the spiritual “kingdom of God.”  And thankfully that kingdom … his kingdom … isn’t restricted to one nation or even to one place, but it graciously and wonderfully extends over you and me, wherever we may be. 

It’s the very kingdom we pray impacts us positively and powerfully every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come.” (Mt. 6:10).  Thankfully, it’s a prayer Jesus has already answered … and one he will continue to graciously answer.

What a marvelous King He is!  What a magnificent Kingdom He has established!