Down to Earth: A Christmas Devotional JourneySample

Day 6: Real Power

Reflection

Silence. Not the response Pilate was used to. He was a man who knew all about power – how to get it and how to keep it. You don’t become a Roman Governor without knowing how to play the game. But what game was this Jewish Preacher playing?

Jesus did not exude power. Certainly not the kind of power Pilate was used to working with. The only answer He’d given to the governor’s questions was ambiguous. Was He the King of the Jews? "You have said so," Jesus replied. A heavily loaded answer, perhaps implying: "Yes – but not in the way you think."

But although He was under guard and was soon to be flogged, there was Power in Jesus’ silence. He had no need to give an answer. No defense to be made, no pleading, no explanation. Nothing could be said to shift Him from what He had come to do.

As He stood in Pilate’s presence, to all appearances the path in front of Him was a dead end. No royal title had ever been won through torture and execution. Crucifixion was the ultimate humiliation. Submission is not the way to show power in a world where power and prestige are everything.

In that moment, Jesus showed what real, down-to-earth leadership looks like. Not pushing to get ahead by any means possible. Submitting wholly to God’s Will, and serving others before Himself.

Jesus was – is – a King unlike any other. A King we can completely trust in.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, that Jesus, our King, stayed the course to the Cross, giving Himself for us. Help me to be the person You’ve called me to be and do what You call me to do – prioritizing service over my own advancement. Amen.