May 9, 2001

Reading: John 19:5-16

 

“You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (11)

 

As Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, He did so because He was submitting to the will of His Father. Shortly beforehand, Jesus had prayed in Gethsemane, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). That which had been designed and agreed upon in the eternal council of God was now to be performed. Jesus, as God, knew full well the vehemence of Divine wrath upon sin; now, as a Man, He faced that wrath willingly and submissively.

Pilate, arrogantly and ignorantly, claimed power over the carpenter from Nazareth; “Do you not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Pilate was unaware of that eternal decision that was now being played out before him, neither could he see the myriads of angels hovering around Jesus, just waiting for the word to rescue Him.

These words of Jesus speak of a Divine principle that should bring great comfort to everyone who claims Him to be their King and Sovereign. They shed new light upon every circumstance in my life whether I consider them to be positive or negative. When health problems cause me to be discouraged, can I not say to them, “You have no power against me unless it had been given you from above”? How about financial problems? How about anything that appears to be detrimental to me? Can I not say the same thing? Listen, I am seated together with Christ in heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come! (Eph: 1:21). There is nothing I am asked to face unless my loving Father permits it.

What is it that raises its ugly head before you? Is it a temptation of the flesh? Then firmly declare in the name of Jesus Christ, “YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME!” Does the world entice you into its web of deviance and idolatry? Tell it firmly, “YOU HAVE NO POWER!” When the devil, whose ways are more subtle than any other form of temptation, allures you to compromise your faith and love of Christ, tell him loudly and boldly, “YOU HAVE NO POWER!”

We have inherited the power of God, yet we so seldom utilize it. As Christians we allow the world, flesh and devil to walk all over us. So often our resistance, if we resist at all, is so weak that defeat becomes “par for the course”. Watchman Nee wrote a book titled, “The Normal Christian Life”, in which he speaks of the Christian’s “Victorious Life” as norm. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “What is our Normal Christian Life?” Do we find ourselves constantly picking ourselves up after being knocked down in defeat? Or have we learned to stand with Jesus and say, “YOU HAVE NO POWER AT ALL”?

When the devil tempted Jesus he thought he could use his power to thwart the plan of salvation, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me” (Matt: 4:9). “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” In other words, “SATAN, YOU HAVE NO POWER”! “Then the devil left Him”.

James tells us, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). How do we do this? Follow the example of your Master, “YOU HAVE NO POWER UNLESS IT IS GIVEN YOU BY MY FATHER!” We must learn to always stand in the victory Christ has won for us. Do not be defeated!