"My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36)

It's interesting how things we read in different places sometimes go together. I've been studying the New Testament and was struck recently by Jesus' response to Pilate when he asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus responded, "My kingdom is not of this world." I thought of how the world presses in on us and our challenge to keep an eternal perspective. Then this morning I was reveiwing some comments of Michael Wilcox on the Wilderness experience of the children of Israel when Moses led them out of Egypt. I include it below, along with a picture I took of King Tut's death mask in the Cairo museum in 1999.

Brother Wilcox wrote:

Time after time while traveling in the wilderness, the children of Israel longed to go back to Egypt. "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely;" they cried, "the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: but now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes" (Numbers 11:5-6). While reading these words, I cannot help but be impressed with Moses' attitude in contrast. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daugh­ter; Choosing rather to suffer ailliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt … By faith he for­sook Egypt" (Hebrews 11:24-27).

I have walked amidst the grandeur of Egyptian palaces and tem­ples, and spent hours gazing on the wonderful treasures of the Pharaohs on display in Cairo. Often in front of Tutenkamen's golden coffins, I read of Moses's decision, and my appreciation for this great prophet deepens. In light of his sacrifice, my own temptations with worldly riches and comforts seem trivial. He sought higher treasures, and discovered the wealth of the soul.