Take a close look at John 19:10-11. Pilate tells Jesus, “I have the power to take your life.” The Lord Jesus replied, “YOU have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you by God.”
In this life, we all sometimes find ourselves in situations where someone else holds some power or authority over us. It could be a supervisor, a boss, a family member, or a friend. More often, those relationships are benevolent. However, from time to time, we run into one of these folks who seem to have it in for us. We are working hard, trying to do what is right, keeping our noses clean, but our antagonists just keep holding their authority over our heads like a sword. It can make misery, uncertainty, and fear our constant companions until we grasp the sovereignty of God.
The word, sovereign, means supreme ruler possessing independent authority. In other words, the sovereign is the top of the food chain, the absolute ultimate authority. That is our God! So, as we seek Him and follow Him, we will run into those folks who seek to impose their authority over us. How should we respond? Notice again Jesus’ confident response to Pilate: You have no authority over Me at all if it has not been given you from above. Then He submitted to that authority because it was the Father’s will that He suffer and die to redeem those who would follow Him.
I am writing this to encourage you who follow Jesus to live a life of confidence and courage. We can do that because like Jesus, we know that nothing invades our lives without first passing through the hands of our loving Sovereign. Jesus abandoned Himself into His Father’s hands because He lived to bring glory to the Father. When we live to bring glory to God, we can live with assurance, confidence, and peace. There is no need for hostility, vengeance, or self-pity. When we trust and obey Him, He works His will in and through us. That is what Romans 8:28-29 promises us. “We know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Whatever might be happening in your life, He uses it all to shape us into the perfect reflection of the Lord Jesus! Humble yourself! Trust and obey! He will take care of you!
