From the book 
CONFLICT  OF  AGES: A Treatise on the Dichotomy between Christian Pacifism and Military Service
by Daniel H. Shubin

Copyright 1997, Daniel H. Shubin. Used by permission. The full text of the book is available online at www.christianpacifism.com 

12. THE  TESTIMONY  OF  JESUS  CHRIST

When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, he was asked if he was a king. Jesus answered in these words, “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36. Pilate could not grasp the concept of a person being a ruler over some intangible or incorporeal government or realm. He was perplexed, but then concluded that Jesus was of no threat to his rule as procurator over Judea or to the Roman Empire, and so wanted to free him. The Jews persecuting him likewise could not grasp his message and preferred a militant king.

      That violence is not a solution to a conflict of ideas or physical altercation was exemplified by Jesus Christ when he was arrested by the Roman soldiers.

And behold one of those [Peter] who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Matt 26:51-52.

Jesus followed this reprimand of Peter by healing the wound on the soldier, and then stating that if it was the will of God that he should defend himself from the arresting officers, he could summon Angels from heaven to rescue him. Matt 26:53.

      13. THE  SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT

In the Sermon on the Mount, the most studied and applicable passage of the New Testament for disciples of Jesus Messiah, he makes 2 most profound statements.

“You have heard it said of old, Do not kill, and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, that every one who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Matt 5:21-22

“You have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matt 5:38-39.

“You have heard it was said, You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matt 5:43-44.

In these passages Jesus forbid his disciples to kill and be violent, or even to become angry. As Messiah of Israel, Jesus perfected the law of God, and taught that no longer was violence, hate, anger, malice, or vengeance to exist among the members of his new church.

When Jesus said, “Resist not evil,” he did not want his countrymen to any more retaliate against their military occupation. Aggression was not to be used against the Romans by Jews. Jesus wanted them both to live in a mutual peaceful coexistence. His Jewish countrymen did not have to like the Romans; only to restrain themselves from retaliation due to offenses. The statement of Christ, “Love your enemies,” was to impress upon his fellow Jews that the Romans should not be considered their enemy. The true Christian does not consider some foreign nation the enemy, because he transcends world politics as a member of the Spiritual Kingdom of God.