Paula Wiseman

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I Have Come: To Be King

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I have come to be King title graphic

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37

Nearly every Christmas movie and special reaches its climax with a declaration “that’s what Christmas is all about.” Multiple times in the gospel of John Jesus clearly says what Christmas was all about. First, Jesus explained He had come to do the Father’s will, resulting in salvation, preservation and glorification for us. Jesus explained He came for judgment. Jesus declared He came to bring us life, and even better, life more abundantly. He even said He came as Light. But toward the end of John’s Gospel in a conversation with Pilate, Jesus makes one more statement about why He came. He came to be King.

The paradox of the King’s earthly power versus eternal power

In John 18:31, we learn the whole reason the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate was that the governor had the power of life and death in Palestine. Just in this narrative, he ordered Jesus to be scourged. He ordered Barabbas released. He ordered the crucifixion, the relinquishing of the body to Joseph of Arimathea the posting of the guards at the tomb. Every one of those orders was obeyed. Pilate was quite used to exerting his power and being obeyed.

Pilate was therefore quite taken aback by the prisoner before him.

So Pilate *said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” John 19:10-11

Jesus knew Pilate was playing a part in the plan laid down by God. Pilate’s only power came at God’s pleasure. Jesus was going to give His life to redeem mankind and Pilate would give the order. In the garden, mere hours before, Jesus asserted that He had legions of angels (Matt 26:53) available to deliver Him from the Jews and from Rome. If He chose. Pilate could not conceive of that kind of power.

The paradox of the King’s judgment

Pilate thought he sat in judgment of Jesus. In reality, Jesus will judge him. God in the flesh, the King of all creation, the Ultimate Truth stood before him and he refused to recognize Him. Earlier in John’s gospel, Jesus explained:

“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, … “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:22, 24

Pilate temporarily passed judgment on Jesus. Jesus will eternally judge Pilate and all others who reject Him.

The paradox of the King’s testimony

Pilate cross-examined Jesus, looking for evidence of His crimes. Jesus provided testimony as to His identity. The King said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” John 18:36

The King came to bear witness of this truth – that He was building a kingdom, not of this world. The great gift to us is that we can be part of this kingdom. If we hear His word (Hear is not just listen but understand and agree with. “I hear what you’re saying!”) and BELIEVE the Father who sent Jesus (Not believe the Father exists, but believe the things God says about Christ) we have eternal life, a gift beyond our comprehension.

That eternal life includes ruling with Jesus when He receives His eternal kingdom.

THAT’S what Christmas is all about. Christ came to pay the awful price required to bring us back into His kingdom. Merry Christmas!

I Have Come: As Light

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I Have Come as Light title graphic

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 12:46

Nearly every Christmas movie and special reaches its climax with a declaration, “That’s what Christmas is all about.” We don’t have to wonder though. Multiple times in the gospel of John Jesus clearly says what Christmas was all about and why He came. First, Jesus explained He had come to do the Father’s will, resulting in salvation, preservation, and glorification for us. Jesus said He came for judgment. Last week, Jesus declared He came to bring us life, and even better, life more abundantly. In John 12:46, He says He came as Light.

Why do we need Light?

John opened his gospel describing Jesus as the Light that came into the world (John 1:4-5, 9) and this thread runs through the entire book. The simple truth is that He wouldn’t have come unless we needed Him. We were struggling in the darkness of unbelief. We didn’t understand and probably didn’t care that we were sinners. We didn’t comprehend there was hope. We were spiritually blind. So at this moment of our rebellion and apathy, Jesus Christ came to deliver us. And we had no idea what a big deal that was, what a gift beyond imagination.

It’s for everyone

That gift of deliverance from darkness is for everyone, everyone who believes. Not just Jews. Not just people 2000 years ago. Not just wealthy or educated. Not just the connected or the religious. Anyone who wants to be rescued from the darkness can be because the Light came into the world at Christmas.

It’s final

Jesus says we won’t remain in darkness. There can’t be darkness in the presence of light. That’s true even in the physical world. Once we have received Him, the Light, darkness has no place in our lives, nor can we be overcome by it ever again. And as amazing and wonderful as that gift is, Jesus goes beyond that.

We also have an inheritance. Paul picks up on John’s theme in his letter to Colosse. “[G]iving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:12-13).

Light. An inheritance. Once and for all. That’s a great gift for us. It’s no wonder we hang lights on our trees and houses. It reminds us of the Light that came into the world so that we wouldn’t have to remain in darkness.

(Next week is Christmas, so there won’t be a post. But the week after, when some celebrate the arrival of the wise men, we’ll talk about one more reason Jesus said that He came. A very merry Christmas to you and yours!)

We Three Kings

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We Three Kings title graphic

We three kings of Orient are:
Bearing gifts we traverse afar –
Field and fountain, moor and mountain –
Following yonder star.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain:
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom –
Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise:
King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Earth to heaven replies.

Chorus:
Oh, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

John H. Hopkins, 1857
Read Matthew 2:9-12

“We Three Kings” celebrates the True King, but with the understanding that He is no ordinary King. He is the Interceding priest and Man of Sorrows who suffered and died to redeem us. All the verses carry the same theme – worship Him!

The King Answers

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The King Answers title graphic

Save, O LORD; May the King answer us in the day we call. Psalm 20:9

The King answers.

Think of it.
We don’t resort to a bureaucrat,
Or a staffer or an aide.
We are able to call on the very King of all creation.

We call on Him.
We bring our requests, our entreaties,
Our problems, our hurts,
Our confusion, our deepest needs.

We have access.
An invitation.
An authorization.
We even have opportunity.

And the KING … answers us.
Personally
Providentially
Powerfully.

The day we call.

Let’s not delay,
Or hesitate,
Overthink,
Or second-guess.

He has saved us.
He will surely hear us.

I Have Come: For Life More Abundantly

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I Have Come For Life More Abundantly title graphic

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Nearly every Christmas movie and special reaches its climax with a declaration “that’s what Christmas is all about.” Multiple times in the gospel of John Jesus clearly says what Christmas was all about. First, Jesus explained He had come to do the Father’s will, resulting in salvation, preservation and glorification for us. Last week, Jesus says He came for judgment. In this week’s post, Jesus explains He came to bring us life, and even better, life more abundantly.

The contrast

Jesus in the middle of a lesson explaining that He is the door of the sheep. He protects and secures His sheep in the fold in stark contrast to the thief, a thinly veiled reference to Satan. While Satan has dedicated himself to the destruction of mankind, Christ has stepped forward to rescue us and protect us.

The gift of life

While it is true that our physical life is a gift from God, Christ goes far beyond that. “I have come that they may have life,” He says. His purpose in coming, that is, the reason for Christmas is to give us eternal life. Who is the “they”? Jesus told us a few chapters earlier — whoever believes in Him (John 3:16).

More abundantly

But here’s the thing … When God does something, it is extra. It is beyond. Even something as incredible as eternal life, when bestowed by Christ becomes “more abundantly”. He gives us security in our salvation. He brings wholeness and healing. He accomplishes peace with God and finalizes our adoption. Then we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the privilege of prayer, a family of fellow believers, and a purpose. And we haven’t even seen what awaits us! Imagination is a poor substitute for the reality of eternity in His presence. Paul said, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

So this Christmas and every day beyond, the best gift has been bought and paid for. Let’s ensure we and as many others as possible have received this gift, -life more abundant.

I Have Come: For Judgment

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I have come for judgment title graphic

Nearly every Christmas movie and special reaches its climax with a declaration “that’s what Christmas is all about.” Multiple times in the gospel of John Jesus clearly says what Christmas was all about. Last week, Jesus explained He had come to do the Father’s will, resulting in salvation, preservation and glorification for us. This week, Jesus says He came for judgment. Let’s dig into what that means.

Judgment between the seeing and the blind

Chapter 9 records the miracle of Jesus healing the man born blind and the confrontation with religious leaders that resulted. His pronouncement comes near the end of the conversation, where He explains He came so that those who realize they are blind can receive sight while those who think they can see become even more blind.

Of course, Jesus is using physical blindness as a metaphor for spiritual blindness. As the religious establishment rejects Jesus, the judgment leveled against them is that they become more and more blind to the truth of His identity and purpose. It’s not unlike when Pharoah chose to harden his heart against God and His messengers, God’s judgment was to harden His heart even more.

The gift for us – spiritual sight and understanding.

One commentator called Christ’s coming a “spiritual moment of truth.” Jesus brings us the opportunity to see ourselves for what we are – sinners in need of a savior. But then He doesn’t just leave us with that realization. Earlier in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Jesus was sent to offer us a way out, a cure for our blindness. It’s freely available to anyone — to the world — but rejection of that free offer leaves us exactly where we started, that is, under God’s judgment as sinners.

So what’s Christmas all about? Jesus says it’s about understanding that we are in a predicament, a serious one. But He has the remedy and it’s available for anyone who wants it. But He won’t force it. If we prefer blindness and judgment, He’ll leave us to it.