Power to Die
John 19:1-15
"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.'"
(JOHN 19:11)
As Pilate's interaction with Jesus continued, the governor soon realized he was in a pickle. The prisoner before him seemed innocent, but the crowds outside would not be satisfied unless Christ was executed. So when Pilate tried to free Jesus, the last thing he expected was the response he heard: that he had no power accept that given him by a Greater Power. True power was about much more than governmental laws and legal trials.
In fact, Jesus could have exhibited more strength than a thousand military troops. He could have called on a hundred angels, performed a miraculous escape and smitten everyone dumb within seconds. But He didn't. He stayed within Pilate's authority, submitted to the verdict He knew was coming and willingly accepted the conviction.
Why? Because His death on the cross was exactly why the Lord of Creation came to earth as a man. His ultimate purpose throughout His time on earth was to exhibit power over death so that we might know true life with Him. This is the Lord we serve!
INSIGHT
IN WHAT WAYS DOES CHRIST'S SUBMISSION TO PILATE REVEAL TRUE POWER?
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Deuteronomy 32
Psalm 95
Acts 19
John 19:1-15
John 19:1-15
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
John 19
Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified
1 Then 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 struck him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "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 Jews 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."
12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."
13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.
15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
THE KING'S GAME
Have you ever been pushed around by a bully? It's hard not to hate those who hurt us, but Jesus took it one step further and forgave them! He did it all for God's glory and your good.
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