Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” John 19:11 NLT
John 19 records Jesus’ interrogation in a kangaroo court, with bogus charges, false witnesses, biased judges. Exactly the situation from which we would pray to be delivered. Exactly the circumstance where we would struggle to see the Father’s hand, without a miraculous rescue, an upset that would turn the tables. But Jesus didn’t see it that way. He had settled the issue of trust in His Father. In the Garden He wrestled His own fear and resistance to the ground in complete surrender to His Father God. He said, “The suffering I see ahead is not what I want. But if this is what you know is best, I fully cooperate with You. Whatever you say.”
He was prepared. When He stood in Pilate’s court, a place where anyone would tremble with fear, Jesus was the accused, but Pilate was the one afraid – afraid of both Jesus and the crowd. He sensed Jesus was no ordinary man but feared the angry crowd would attract the attention and antagonism of his authorities. So, he flogged Jesus to pacify the false accusers. But it didn’t work. Jesus’ composure caused Pilate to ask incredulously, “Don’t you understand that I have the power to crucify you or to set you free?”
Jesus stunned him and still challenges us with His calm and confident answer. “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” Jesus knew that His Father knew Him best and loved Him most, plus had the wisdom and power to do what was exactly best for Him and the entire world. Because of that, Jesus didn’t fear anyone or any power. That came to distinguish His disciples too. After the resurrection, they were filled with power and confidence. They were threatened, accused, imprisoned, shipwrecked, persecuted – and they never folded. Through the centuries, faithful followers have found it to be true: God is faithful and has all authority. We can trust His hand. Believe it for your new year. Every single day.
- “There is nothing – no circumstance, no trouble, no testing – that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is – that is the rest of victory!” – Alan Redpath