When Pilate questioned Jesus he asked him about his kingship. Jesus makes it plain that he is a king but not in the patter of Rome or anywhere else in the world (John 18:36). Jesus explains that a worldly king would be defended by his subjects. That is the normal reaction to attacks in the world. Rome was well prepared for those who rose up and challenged the rule of their king. Everything in the Roman army was structured around defending the rule of Rome. Justice was switch and without mercy for those who challenged Rome.
Since Jesus is a heavenly king what does the situation he is in tell us about the defenses of the Kingdom of God? One thing is clear; Jesus wasn’t depending on human defenses to ensure his rule. If we consider Jesus’ actions as the King of kings standing before Pilate it can be very confusing. He is not like any king of any earthly political structure. We might accuse him of nephetism because all of his servants are his friends, brothers and sisters, and those that he loves. But they are his servants and not his defenders. Jesus could have called legions of angels to protect him. Through the history of Israel it is evident that angels were capable warriors against the armies of men. But they were not his defenders either. Jesus only had one defended, because he only needed one defender. The Heavenly Father. We may wonder why the Father did not come to his defense. In reality Jesus did not need defending; he was doing exactly what the Father had commanded him to do. So even though he was about to be beaten like a criminal he was guilty of no crime and needed no defender. In spite of the fact the Jesus would take Barabbas’ fate on the cross as an insurrectionist he did not need a defender. Jesus was the true king and with his death the rebellion of mankind was defeated, and the complete rule of God the Father was re-established.
Stuart
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