Day 29

John 18-19

“Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above…” John 19:11 ESV

When Pilate spoke of His authority to release or crucify Jesus, He responded with God’s sovereignty. God had supreme power and authority over these situations. Jesus says, “All authority has been given from above.” In this chapter, we see three more examples of God’s supreme authority. 

1. “So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things.” (John 19:24) 

While they obviously made the decision to cast lots, God’s sovereignty was at work - that the scriptures would be fulfilled. 

2. “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’” (John 19:28)

This was to fulfill Psalm 69:21, “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” Notice that Jesus didn’t ask for the wine. It’s almost as if Jesus knew that by saying, “I thirst,” it would trigger His enemies to help fulfill this prophecy. Yet, one might say that His enemies didn’t have to respond to His words. I believe, however, that this is again God’s supreme authority at work. 

3. “So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.” (John 19:32-33)

Again, we see God’s supreme authority at work. Sure, the soldiers made “a choice” to not break Jesus’s legs, but that’s the only choice they had. If they had made the choice to break His legs, 1) God wouldn’t have supreme authority and 2) scripture and prophecy concerning Jesus would be unfulfilled. 

“For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They will look on him whom they have pierced.’” (John 19:36-37)

No matter what’s going on in our lives today, we can take comfort in God’s supreme authority. There is nothing outside of His control. Most importantly, if you are a child of God, you are in His hands.