Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this, I was born and for this, I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
 
There is a wonderful statue of Jesus located in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. This magnificent marble statue called the "Christus" stands over 10 feet tall. There are replicas of it scattered all over the world including one at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.  
 
The sculptor was Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen, and his concept was to create a monumental statue of Christ that would reveal Jesus in all his majesty.  His hands would be raised toward heaven and his face would look out regally upon everyone and everything.  Thorvaldsen hoped to depict Jesus as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  "Jesus is the greatest figure in human history," the sculptor said before beginning his great work, "and this statue will so represent Him." There is a story told that before starting on the final marble version, Thorvaldsen first created one out of clay as a model for those who had commissioned the work.  However, a funny thing happened on the way to the showing. The statue was left in a shed near the water and the dampness had its way with the clay figure.
 
The upraised hands had drooped. They no longer commanded, they beckoned.  The upturned face had lowered itself onto the Master's chest, and it was now a face that had known many trials and hardships and yet was the epitome of love and compassion.  The statue was no longer of a mighty king before whom all would bow, it was of a kindly shepherd who cared for every one of his sheep.  At first, Thorvaldsen was bitterly disappointed by the accident. Then he realized that this modified version was a more accurate depiction of Jesus than the one he had originally conceived.
 
So, he left the clay model undisturbed, and created his marble masterpiece in the same way. His original intention had been to inscribe the words "Follow My Commands" on the base of the statue. But now he realized that those words were no longer appropriate.  Instead, he chiseled the softer message "Come Unto Me," based on Matthew 11:28 where Jesus welcomes all who labor and are heavily laden.  Even today, this wonderful statue touches the hearts and spirits of all those who see it, and it is said to be so captivating that it brings onlookers to tears.
 
Much like Thorvaldsen's original concept, Israel was looking for an earthly king who would deliver them from Roman oppression.  But as they discovered through Jesus' ministry and teaching, and as he proclaims before Pilate in our gospel reading, he is ruler of a kingdom not built on might, but one built on compassion, humility, love, and truth; a kingdom that is not of this world.
 
In John's Gospel, there is no neutrality before Christ. There are those who are his disciples, following him as the way, the truth, and the life.  And then there are those of "the world," who do not know the way, are full of falsehood, and facing spiritual death.  To be faithful disciples of Christ is to be servants of the truth, truth that liberates and renews, truth that gives and sustains life and hope, truth that transcends our rational thinking, the truth that serves as a looking glass for seeing the world through the eyes of God.
 
Making Jesus king over our lives involves more than a single decision, it is a choice we make each day of our lives, and one we can only accomplish through prayer and by the grace of God's love for us all.
 
Bobby Richardson played second base for the New York Yankees in the 50's and 60's.  Later in life he was a much sought-after Christian speaker.  Bobby was once asked to give a prayer to open a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting and someone in the group made a note of his prayer; it was a classic. Richardson prayed:
 
"Dear God, your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else."
 
If we want a life-changing formula to help us proclaim ourselves as followers of Christ, this is it! We should pray that prayer every day and then try to live it every hour, every day of our lives. The original disciples learned as the sculptor learned; as you and I must learn, Jesus is a king whose arms are open to welcome all into his embrace. All he asks in return is our faith and trust, "... nothing more, nothing less, nothing else."
 
Amen?  Amen!

"Nothing More-Nothing Less-Nothing Else"
A sermon by Rev. Jack Miller based on John 18: 33-37
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