Is Jesus a Threat?

Is Jesus a threat?

That’s the question on Pilate’s mind. He wants to know if Jesus is trying to set himself up as a political rival to Caesar capable of inciting some sort of revolution. If Jesus is a political rival or if he at least sees himself as such then Pilate has to take action. If he doesn’t see himself as a rival King, then there is no need to act. 

But Jesus does something really peculiar. He tells Pilate that he is a King, but not an earthly one. He did come to conquer, not kingdoms, but hearts. And Pilate didn’t have to be afraid of Jesus overthrowing Rome, but he did have to be wary of Jesus overturning his life. 

Jesus didn’t come to sit on the throne within the country you live in. He came to rule over the Kingdom of your heart. And for those of us who are sinners with a propensity to indulge in sinful behavior, this is the most threatening kind of King. 

Because if Jesus really is the King. Then the only proper responses to a true King are devotion, service, and obedience. 

If Jesus is King and if he IS what is good, true, and beautiful, then the journey of life is first and foremost about aligning our inner world with HIM. With what is objectively good, true, and beautiful. 

So, this week, as you go to Mass on Sunday, consider this: is there a part of you that feels threatened by the Kingship of Jesus? Is there a part of you that resists doing something you know he is asking you to do or living in a way you know he’s asking you to live?

I know my answer to those questions is “Yes”. And I know he is the only one who can help me change that. 

God bless and remember you were made to do hard things.