A person has just been sworn in as a witness and is asked a question - "What shape is the world?" "Flat" is the reply. We know now that is not the truth, the truth is the world is round. But our witness swore to tell the truth. (How can a person tell the truth if he/she does not know what the truth is?)

One person's idea of the truth is not necessarily another person's idea of the truth; the Jewish leaders' idea of the truth was not God's idea of the truth; and Pilate's idea of the truth was not God's idea of the truth. Jesus came to testify to the truth - not the truth of the world, but the truth found in Holy Scripture.

It is sad that most people will readily believe what is written in the newspapers but will not believe what is written in the Holy Bible. The truth in a newspaper is the truth of this world, often false. The truth in the Scriptures is the truth of God. The truth in the four Gospels is the truth of the Good News.

You are a king then" said Pilate. "My Kingdom is not of this world." answered Jesus.

We see the rulers of this world at war trying to bring peace and justice - but is it God's peace? Is it God's justice? Do they rule to serve, or do they rule to be served?

Pilate was in the presence of the Kingdom of God, for wherever Jesus goes the Kingdom of God goes with Him. If our Queen goes to another land her kingdom remains here in the UK, it does not go with her. But not so with Jesus. His Kingdom goes where He goes and it touches this world, though it is not of this world. And in like manner where the Church is, the Kingdom of God is. Where people are working to relieve suffering and famine in the world, the Kingdom of God is. Where the Kingdom of God is being proclaimed in word and deed, the Kingdom of good is. Where all good is done the Kingdom of God is.

Think of all the good work done by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. There was the Kingdom of good at work in the world.

Can we really say thanks for Christ the servant if we do not recognise Christ the king? Can we take the blessings and not the orders? Can there be a God who serves and a people who don't?

The Apocalypse sees Christ above all the rulers of the earth, but can we see Christ as the ruler of our lives?

The truth is this:
Jesus came into this world as a little baby so that we might be forgiven our sins and gain eternal life. And as He was a servant to us all, so we must serve one another. And he was a King so We must proclaim Him Lord of all. But this is only part of the truth.

If you come and join us this Christmas you will hear more.

Keith Trutzenbach

1st December 2003