Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 241

August 29;       John 19:11;       87/260(III);       ‘Parts Played’

 John 19:11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." 

Pilate, as governor, had the authority to crucify the Lord or release Him and he told Jesus this.  Jesus, in this verse, in essence tells Pilate that he was created by the Lord to be in this position and what he will do was ordained by the Father before time began.  Pilate was not an evil man.  He knew Jesus was innocent and it was the jealous religious leaders who wanted to kill the Lord.  Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but yielded to the pressure of the religious leaders.  Jesus, though He was about to endure what only He could, was in complete control, knowing Pilate would turn Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified.  Jesus also tells Pilate that Judas, of his own volition, betrayed Jesus and what Judas did was a greater sin.  Judas was with Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry and heard His message and saw His miracles.  Judas saw the character or Jesus and His compassion for the sick and he still betrayed the Lord.  Both fulfilled prophecy.  Each of us was created by the Lord for good.  We were created to become Christians, find the Lord’s perfect will for our lives and do it.  If like Pilate, we yield to pressure, even when we know it is wrong, the Lord will turn that around for His glory and purpose.  If like Judas, who betrayed the Lord, the betrayer loses and Jesus still wins.  Jesus loved Judas and called him friend.  Judas regretted what he did and wound up committing suicide.  Live your life so that you fulfill Jesus’ will for good.  Play your part well.