Daily EncouragementSample

Nowhere is it more powerfully shown that the authority of earthly rulers is a delegated power than here, as Jesus says to Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” “The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1). “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men” (Dan. 4:25).

Nowhere is the sovereignty of God in the death of Christ more strongly asserted, and that by the Son of God himself. In the last analysis it is not Pilate who “handed him over to them to be crucified,” (John 19:16), but rather he was handed over “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23).

Nowhere is it clearer that for the fulfilment of his purpose God permits his servants to suffer at the hands of earthly rulers - Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” Herod put James to death with the sword and “proceeded to seize Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3). But the last word is always “from above.” Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate did what the power and will of the sovereign Lord had decided beforehand should happen (Acts 4:27-28).

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men,” says Peter (1 Pet. 2:13); but it is “for the Lord’s sake,” for he is “God, the blessed and only Ruler” (1 Tim. 6:15).