He Thought He Had All Authority

I can almost picture it...

He stood, in the finest of clothing. I imagine he stood with arrogant confidence.

And he demanded an answer.

"Where are you from?"

He had authority. Power to reduce people to begging. Power to do and say whatever he chose.

He didn't get an answer to his question.

His arrogance spilled out, "You're not talking to me? Don't you know that I have the authority to let you go and the authority to have you  killed?"

I'm sure he raised his voice.

We think we have authority too. We live like we get to choose our last day.

You do; I do too.

"Tomorrow I will ... "

"This summer we will ..."

"I plan to ... "

Such an unpopular subject--the truth.

It doesn't matter what your last name is, how much money you have, how many people bow to you, how confident you are ... you don't get to choose. Neither do I.

Whether you live another day, or die.

It's okay though, because there is a choice we've been given.

Many years ago, I saw myself as I am. I prayed and asked Jesus to be my Lord forever.

I chose forgiveness.

I chose a relationship.

I chose Jesus.

Pilate looked down at Jesus, bloodied and beaten, and demanded an answer. When no answer was given, he wielded his authority over Jesus ... well, he tried.

I wonder what cold chills ran through him when Jesus spoke? Did he go weak in the knees? Did he feel the impulse to bow?

"You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given you from above."

John tells us from that moment, Pilate made every effort to release Him. His conflict must have been great--the wrestling between good and evil, the struggle to want Jesus and want to keep control over self. Arrogant refusal to admit sin.

He chose self that day.

Jesus chose His death that day ... so you and I could chose life.

Jesus' last earthly instructions, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age"

I have to wonder if the words traveled back to Pilate's ivory tower ... Jesus has all authority. Did he feel the need to wash his hands once more?

I do not have the authority to choose the day I die, and neither do you.

It's okay though. I choose Jesus.

How about you?