PAWN IN THE PLAN

John 19:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”

11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”


Did Jesus let Pilate off the hook for his role in the crucifixion? At the very least, Jesus made sure Pilate knew who was in control. Having just endured the severe whipping, Jesus says to Pilate, “You would have no power over me at all …” My Father has a plan for the salvation of mankind and you are just a pawn in His plan. “… unless it were given to you from above.” These words, spoken with the authority of the divine, put Pilate in his place.

The same God who sent His Son to die for our salvation also has a plan for our lives. He has given us free will to operate within that plan, yet in His infinite wisdom, He knows the outcome of every detail of that plan. Our finite minds have difficulty getting a grip of how He is able to do this. Simply stated, He’s God! All we have to do is trust the sovereign God.