This episode initially addresses the question based on Christ's interaction with Pilate in John 18:36 and John 19:11. Based on the other worldly nature of His kingdom, Christ told Pilate that his disciples didn't need to fight to protect Him. His kingdom would advance, and worldly "encouragement" or opposition is simply not a factor. Even though Christ acknowledged Pilate's DELEGATED authority in John 19:11, He doesn't make His kingdom "dependent" on Pilate's benevolent or adverse participation. Christ is crucified because He chose to lay His life down, and the kingdom of Christ is not beholden to Pilate, and by extension ANY KINGDOM of this world. The late John McArthur concluded the same, even claiming that "Christian nationalism doesn't exist." The episode concludes with a brief analysis of Matthew 28:18-19, whereby Christians are called to respond to the universal authority of Christ by making disciples from all the nations. Christ's dealings with Pilate and His subsequent instructions in the Great Commission reveal how believers are to interact with nation-states as we make individual disciples for Christ.
