All the Power

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

ALL THE POWER

John 19:1-11

19:1 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." 

NIV

This scene is almost unbearable to think about, how anyone could conceive of making a film to portray this event is unbelievable, yet that has been done. Why would anyone what to see how this was, how Jesus was flogged, beaten, mocked, what we might even call tortured? Many people today are absolutely opposed to the torture of enemy combatants to obtain information, yet they will use the Lord’s name in vain. The cruelty of the Roman soldiers demonstrates the evil that lurks within the heart of man, especially when they believe they have the power to do this evil without consequences. We also see that once again Pilate tries to release Jesus, to wash his hands of this affair thinking this harsh treatment of Jesus, would satisfy the Jews. Pilate wanted to keep the peace, which was his job, to keep control of the Jews, to stop any rebellion against the Roman authority in Rome. The Jews were not content with Jesus just being tortured, his flesh torn from his back, his face bruised beyond recognition, they wanted him dead. So Pilate tries once more to get Jesus to give him some reason to let him go, telling Jesus that he had the power over whether to free him or crucify him. Jesus makes it clear, the only power Pilate has is what the Father has given him.  Is it only in this instance that the sovereignty of God is demonstrated? We know this is how it had to be, Jesus had to go to the cross, it was the plan for our salvation, so Pilate was just a bit player in the main event, not having any reason to be in the moment, other to do the will of God. Is all of life like that? Could we be just bit players in a much larger plan of God other than just our own life, our own salvation? We would have to say our life is much bigger than just being all about ourselves. Of course, we do see how many people, such as all who serve and have served in the military may be asked to give up their lives for others. Man does do good deeds for others, our lives are not just about ourselves. Is this the divine act of God in those lives? Does he orchestrate our daily lives, or have given us freedom, does he allow us to play out our lives as we direct them, or since we became believers, submitting our freedom to him, does he direct our daily affairs for his greater good? Does he give us a certain amount of power over our situation, as he gave Pilate the power over Jesus? This type of question may be debated forever and we may never really understand until we reach heaven. But we know one thing for certain, we are willing to go or do wherever or whatever the Spirit inspires us to go and do. Still, we know God has all the power.