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| Daily Devo/Bible Study - 3/3/2010 - John 19:8-11 |
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| Deep Thoughts | |||
| Written by Jonathan Hsieh | |||
| Thursday, 04 March 2010 23:57 | |||
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19:8 When Pilate heard what they said, he was more afraid than ever, 19:9 and he went back into the governor’s residence and said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 19:10 So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?” 19:11 Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
19:8 When Pilate heard what they said, he was more afraid than ever,
Somehow realizing the true reason why Jesus was there (claiming to be the Son of God) spooks Pilate. He becomes more afraid. Perhaps his superstitions and pantheistic beliefs may have made him think there was actually something to Jesus?
19:9 and he went back into the governor’s residence and said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer
Pilate goes back inside, now scared, and wants to know what is Jesus' deal. The religious leaders rush with Jesus to Pilate, filled with bloodlust, wanting to have Jesus executed. They'd rather have this man executed than rebel who might end up bringing down the angry retribution of Rome. And now Pilate realizes they came under a false pretense to have Jesus executed. Something is going on. Where is this guy from? But Jesus doesn't respond. 19:10 So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?”
Pilate doesn't like Jesus' silence. He gives Jesus pretty much a "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" line. "Do you know who I am? I can have you killed if I wanted!"
19:11 Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Jesus tells Pilate something totally unexpected. Pilate isn't anyone special. He only has this power because someone higher has given it to Him. Jesus has some connection with someone way above Pilate. Pilate isn't the biggest fish that will fry. Instead, the one that handed Jesus over is guiltier. Scholars debate exactly who is the one that handed Jesus over. Judas only handed Jesus over to the religious leaders. It was the high priest and Sanhedrin that directly gave Jesus over to Pilate. Perhaps it was Caiaphas, who wanted Jesus dead, that is guilty. We don't exactly know. But no doubt it was someone who should have been worshipping Jesus instead of having Him killed.
All Christians could use a wake-up call like Pilate. A lot of times we sort've feel like we have to show people who we are. We have to say "Excuse me. Do you know who I am? Because I don't think you know who I am." As if we are inherently special. But we aren't. Our specialness is only given by God. It's dependent on God's mercies and not on our own ability or attributes. Let's never forget that. Thinking we are special on our own leads to pride. Let's be humble and acknowledge God's grace and mercy, allowing us to be someone.
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