Who's In Charge?
Scripture – John 19:6-11: As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What was in the hearts of those Jewish leaders? What engendered such animosity toward Jesus? It’s like the power of Satan had captured them and led to their call for crucifixion. In the midst of this whole scene, who’s in charge? Certainly not Pilate. It’s like Satan has been given free reign to do whatever he wants – to use people for his own ends. In the center of all this chaos, it’s important to see Jesus. For He’s the One giving Satan permission. He’s the One still in control. He’s the One embracing the cross for us all. He’s the only One who knows what’s going on.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will remember what Christ has done for me today. I will trust Him to be in control. I will not allow chaotic situations to overwhelm me with fear. With Christ at the center, there is always peace.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, you are always in control. I don’t always understand your ways. But I trust you to work things out as you want. So help me live and move, or at least stand, in your strength and peace this day.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What was in the hearts of those Jewish leaders? What engendered such animosity toward Jesus? It’s like the power of Satan had captured them and led to their call for crucifixion. In the midst of this whole scene, who’s in charge? Certainly not Pilate. It’s like Satan has been given free reign to do whatever he wants – to use people for his own ends. In the center of all this chaos, it’s important to see Jesus. For He’s the One giving Satan permission. He’s the One still in control. He’s the One embracing the cross for us all. He’s the only One who knows what’s going on.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will remember what Christ has done for me today. I will trust Him to be in control. I will not allow chaotic situations to overwhelm me with fear. With Christ at the center, there is always peace.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, you are always in control. I don’t always understand your ways. But I trust you to work things out as you want. So help me live and move, or at least stand, in your strength and peace this day.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.
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