Pilate
might have felt that he had the power of life and death over Jesus but he was so wrong. What was he expecting from
Jesus in response? Did he think Jesus was going to beg for mercy? Offer him a
bribe? Curse him, perhaps? Instead, Jesus calmly put Pilate in his place. “You
would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above,” he said
(verse 11).
Jesus
did not deny that Pilate had earthly authority over him. He could set Jesus
free or he could order him to be crucified. Because it was necessary to fulfill
God’s plan, Pilate was allowed to exercise his authority over Jesus’ life and
death. The same power that permitted Pilate to act is the same power that could
have swooped in and rescued Jesus from the ordeal ahead.
Sometimes
we are overpowered by circumstances or authorities. Can we meet them with the
same calmness and assurance that Jesus did? Are we willing to endure whatever
we must in order to bring glory to God? Do we know, without a doubt, that God is standing trial with us; that he could deliver us if it fulfilled his
plan; and that he will empower us to stand firm in the face of our adversity?
Jesus showed us how it was done when he did it for us.
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