John 19:1-16

In this passage Jesus is brutally flogged and dressed in a purple robe and a crown of thorns, made by the Roman soldiers.  The ruling governor, Pontius Pilot ordered the flogging and then released Jesus to the Jews to crucify him.  Pontius Pilot saw himself as all powerful and was oblivious to the all powerful God, Jesus, standing right in front of him.  We see this in verse 10 “Why don’t you talk to me? Pilot demanded.  Don’t you realize that I have the power to release or crucify you?”  Jesus responded in verse 11a “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” Truth just flowed out of Jesus’ mouth.  Jesus is truth, Jesus is all powerful.  But unlike man, Jesus released his power to his Father’s will.  The motivation of his life on earth was to accomplish his Father’s will, not his own.  And unlike man, Jesus’ words were always a proclamation of truth to glorify his Father.  They did not in any way to promote, protect or glorify himself.  Jesus release of power to his Father, cost him his life in a death more brutal than we could even imagine.  Jesus, being Truth, knew the sacrifice of his life would satisfy the payment for all sin past, present and future.  And would restore an intimate relationship between man and God forever.  Pilot feared man and promoted himself.  Jesus feared God and promoted his Father.  Pilot’s power brought temporary death.  God’s power brought eternal life. 

I recently spent time with an old friend of my Dad’s.  He speaks and lives with an ease and lightness that is rare.  Peace radiates from him both in his words and in his consistent calm demeanor.  He said “I came to a place of peace in my life when I knew that everything that happens in my life comes from the Father’s hand.  Everything, I mean everything.  I used to think the hard times came from the Devil.  All of it is from God’s hand.”  This man’s daughter was diagnosed with terminal cancer and a life expectancy of three months, four years ago.  His wife had a stroke two years ago, and he had a heart attack one year ago.  Yet, he is the most peaceful person I’ve ever met.  There is not the common obsession with his daughter’s, wife’s or his own health conditions.  He, his wife and daughter are wise in doing what they can to make healthy decisions in diet etc.  But his focus is not on what they or the doctor’s can control.  HIs focus remains that God is in control and that God is good, all the time.  Even when he doesn’t understand it. 

This man is also appreciates simplicity more than anyone I’ve ever met.  When my parents and I met with he and his wife for lunch, they didn’t even bring their cell phone with them.  He is a Pastor.  When we attended a service at his church, it was refreshingly simple.  My heart was touched in a way that’s hard to explain.  Without all the whistles and bells we believe are necessary to stay relevant and bring church growth, I recognized and experienced God’s presence deep in my spirit.  God was bigger in this service than any presentation in the service.  Therefore, God could be found, seen and experienced in a great big way.  When we know God alone is all powerful and wisdom itself, we can relax and let God be God.  We don’t need whistles and bells.  All we need is him, and his wonders can be seen through us in powerful ways. 

When we think we’re all wise and powerful, we’re about our will, not God’s and we’re not being led by truth.  That was Pontius Pilot’s ere.  And much of the time, it’s our own as well.  If we spend our life paying attention to looking good in our own, or other’s eyes, it is our will that will matter most.  Thankfully, God’s mercies are new every morning.  Every morning we have an opportunity to take time to know God through quiet time with him.  Quieting our earthly thoughts and receiving his eternal, true, wise thoughts.  My Dad was once asked this question:  There is a war going on between our spirit and flesh.  How can we live being ruled by the spirit over being ruled by our flesh?  HIs answer was “whichever bear you feed the most will win.” 

Prayer:  Lord God, may I live for your will and not my own.  May I know that you are all powerful and that everything in my life comes from your hand.  May I know that you are good, all the time, even when I don’t understand it.  May I realize that you are truth and wisdom.  May I seek and receive your wisdom and not the wisdom of this world.  May I wake up each day committed to feed my spirit and not my flesh, by starting my day with you.  Amen