As Jesus stood before Pilate, at the very end of His earthly life, He knew what lay ahead. The pain, the suffering, and ultimately His death on the cross were moments away.
Pilate, in an attempt to intimidate Jesus, reminded Him that he had the power to either crucify Him or release Him.
In John 19:10-11, Pilate said, “Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”
Jesus responded with calm confidence, saying, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.”
Jesus knew that Pilate’s authority was not his own but came from God. This is a powerful reminder for us as Christians. We, too, will face situations in life where things seem out of our control, and fear tries to overwhelm us. We may feel like others hold power over us, or that circumstances are spiraling, but Jesus’ words show us that everything in life is under God’s authority.
When we go through challenges, we must remember that nothing happens without God allowing it. Our first reaction shouldn’t be panic or fear but trust. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” we should ask God, “What do you want me to learn from this? How do you want me to grow through this?”
Every trial, every challenge, is not without purpose. Just like Jesus’ path to the cross had a divine purpose, our struggles are opportunities for growth. God is shaping us, teaching us, and preparing us for something greater. When we truly place everything in God’s hands, we can find peace knowing that He is in control, and His plans are always for our good.
In those moments of uncertainty, let us remind ourselves of Jesus’ response to Pilate. No matter what comes our way, we are always in God’s hands, and His will is perfect. Everything in our lives happens for a reason, and our faith in Him will help us grow through every season.
