“You’re Not Really In Charge Here”

• Who was Pontius Pilate? Why was he an important Biblical figure?

• How would the world be different if Jesus had never been crucified?

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

Imagine saying to your governor, “You’re not really in charge here.” That’s essentially what Jesus said to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of Judea when Jesus was crucified. Jesus basically said, “You wouldn’t even be here if God hadn’t placed you here.”

This is true of government today as well. God gives government its authority. We don’t always like it, but that’s the way it is. Sometimes God brings certain people to positions of power. Other times, he allows people to hold authority, even when they don’t serve him. But he is always aware of what is going on. God is always in control.

We may not always understand why governments do what they do. We may disagree with those in power, and we may wonder why God doesn’t intervene to change things. But we need to remember that we don’t know the whole story. We don’t know all of God’s plans for the world. God may be allowing certain things to happen so that his will may be fulfilled. In the case of Pilate, God didn’t intervene. And as a result, millions of people have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Dear God, we praise you for the fact that we can rest in the peace of knowing that you are in charge. Amen.