John 19:1-11
19:1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”
7 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.”
8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11 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.” [1]
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Jesus corrects Pilate’s comment regarding his ability to free or crucify Jesus. Pilate has no power at all, Jesus says, except that which has been given to him by God.
What’s true for government leaders regarding the administration of justice is true for each of us in the living of our lives. This is an important point to take to heart, especially in a secular, individualistic culture. It is so easy to think of ourselves as the source and owner of our talents, opportunities and abilities, and accomplishments.
Jesus’ words to Pilate lift us to a higher reality, the truth that all the we have and all the we are is given to us by God. We are not self-sufficient and autonomous. This leads to some questions for reflection: Am I using the “power” God has given me for purposes in line with His will? Am I acknowledging Him as the source of my power in how I live? Am I exercising my power in a way that reflects His character?
These questions remind me that not only am I dependent on God for what seems like my power. I am also dependent on Him for the power to live as He has called me.
God, lead me not only to recognize that all that I am and have comes from You, but also to live my life in a way that honors You as giver.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Jn 19:1–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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