TRUST THE POWER OF GOD OVER THE POWER OF PEOPLE ACTING WICKEDLY!
TRUST THE POWER OF GOD OVER THE POWER OF PEOPLE ACTING WICKEDLY!
The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free…. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. —John 19:7-12,16
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. —John 19:30
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. —John 20:18
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. —John 20:30-31
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. —Psalm 111:2
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! —Psalm 111:10
The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus. Pilate saw no reason that He should die. The Jewish leaders kept insisting because Jesus “claimed to be the Son of God” and they had “a law, and according to that law he must die.” Pilate was even more afraid when he heard the claim of Jesus. Pilate’s wife had already warned him— “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19). Hmmm… Our Lord supernaturally gave Pilate’s wife a dream. I wonder how that impacted her? Apparently, it did not impact Pilate.
Anyway, Pilate wanted to dialogue with Jesus and said, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” In response Jesus said these revealing words— “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” All the wicked decisions of Pilate and of the Jewish leaders were utilized by God to carry out His plan. How comforting and encouraging this is when we see all the wickedness of leaders and others today. No one in power has power except it be from our All-Powerful God who is carrying out His purposes through those who think they are in power!
How so? Well—
- Jesus said, “It is finished.” — The sin debt has been paid and now whoever calls on the Lord will be saved!
- Mary said, “I have seen the Lord!” — Jesus rose from the grave— overcoming death!
- John said, “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
- God’s works are to be studied and pondered.
- With a proper perspective on our Lord, we will have understanding.
No power of hell or earth can hinder what He is doing or will do. We can be assured of that and take comfort and encouragement that what appears to be awful actions of “powerful” people are only because we do not have the bigger, overall picture of what He is doing. — a crucified Christ, to a risen Christ, to an ascended Christ, to a coming back to set things right Christ. Who would have believed it as they looked upon the beaten, battered, crucified and dead Jesus? God’s power! Trust Him even in the hardest to understand circumstances. He is still in control! And Father I am so grateful to know this. May I trust You in all things by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXMPNXXnCls