John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that hath delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Oh Friends, it’s a rainy spring morning. One of those frustrating times when the ole fella struggled to find a Bit. As always, I asked for guidance, but it just took long to come. I checked out several Bits, but none seemed to work for me. I even made a start on one, but flamed out right at the beginning. Steups! Was that the Lord perhaps trying my patience? Ah Lord eh! But you know what Friends, then I subconsciously went looking for words of Jesus, and eventually found some I hadn’t already used and that I could wrap my head around. It certainly proves the theory, when in doubt or despair, turn to Jesus. (smile) And Today’s Bit is Jesus answering Pilate’s out of order question. ‘Speakest thou unto me? knowest thou not that I have power (authority) to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?’ (John 19:10) But little did Pilate know to whom he was addressing such indignant and presumptuous questions, else he would have fallen down on his knees right there and pleaded to Jesus for forgiveness. Anytime I read Jesus’ repartee to some questions, I just have to laugh, because He uses words so powerfully, yet not destructively. Jesus had the ability to put you down without making you feel totally stupid. You knew that you’d lost the war of words, but you didn’t feel the need to attack Him. Most of the time those he bested in arguments just walked away, though not thrilled. And it was the same with Pilate, when Jesus answered; ‘Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that hath delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.’ All truth, which we shall investigate shortly, but I just want to note here Pilate’s reaction to Jesus’ words. ‘And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him.’ (John 19:12) Pilate wasn’t that dumb. He understood what Jesus meant, that it was His accusers who were the real bad guys. He therefore tried to extricate himself from the uncomfortable situation, especially when he realized there was no real or substantive evidence against Jesus and the Jews were just trying to railroad Him. But the Jews were so intent on getting their way that they threatened Pilate himself. ‘If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.’ (John 19:12) Oh Friends, you see the depths of dishonesty and guile to which we can sink to get our own way? The Jews hated Caesar for the oppressive mantle he laid on them, but such was their intense dislike and fear of Jesus, that they were willing to enlist Caesar’s name to get rid of Him. But let’s get back to Jesus statement that Pilate could have no authority over Him unless it came from the Father. That’s gospel truth mih people! Since our God controls everything, we can only do stuff if He allows it. John the Baptist acknowledged this when his disciples complained that Jesus was baptizing and drawing away John’s crowds. ‘John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.’ (John 3:27) And how can we resist the fiery words of Bruh Paul when he declares that we should honour authority. ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (governing authorities). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of (appointed by) God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (judgement). (Rom.13:1-2) It’s also interesting to note Jesus’ speech, as reported by Luke, to the captains and chief priests who came with a mob to get Him at Gethsemane. ‘Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.’ (Luke 22:52-53) All the time He was teaching and preaching in the temple, in the daylight, they had ample opportunity to lay hold on Him, but didn’t, because it was not the appointed time. Jesus concurs with that after entering Jerusalem and certain Greeks who also came for the Passover feast asked to see Him. ‘Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause (purpose) came I unto this hour.’ (John 12:27) Yes my people, the chief priests and captains were only able to arrest Jesus that night in the Garden of Gethsemane because it was time for that part of the Father’s plan to be put into effect. Look at all the other times they tried to lay hold of Him, unsuccessfully. Even when he healed on the Sabbath and tongue lashed them in the temple, they couldn’t apprehend Him. ‘Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.’ (John 7:30) It’s plain to see then Friends, that Jesus’ sojourn here on earth, and all His unfortunate, unjust predicaments were not mere happenstance, but all part of a major plan that the Most High God Jehovah had put in place to recover and restore His lost, sinful, disobedient children to their rightful place; under His safe, comforting wings. Because He LOVED us so much, He wanted us to come back to Him, but since He was also a just and righteous God, He had to find a way for it to be just and right too. In the end, He had to sacrifice His only Son Jesus, because only a sinless sacrifice could bear our multitude of sins, and Jesus was the only sinless, unblemished character in existence, besides the Father. How shall we then repay that most significant sacrifice of LOVE eh Friends? We can never really repay it, but we can be eternally grateful by showing requited LOVE, thanks, glory, obedience and praise. And that’s all our God wants anyway. Much LOVE!…let’s make our God happy…by LOVING Him…being obedient…and spreading His Holy Word…
Oh Friends, it’s a rainy spring morning. One of those frustrating times when the ole fella struggled to find a Bit. As always, I asked for guidance, but it just took long to come. I checked out several Bits, but none seemed to work for me. I even made a start on one, but flamed out right at the beginning. Steups! Was that the Lord perhaps trying my patience? Ah Lord eh! But you know what Friends, then I subconsciously went looking for words of Jesus, and eventually found some I hadn’t already used and that I could wrap my head around. It certainly proves the theory, when in doubt or despair, turn to Jesus. (smile) And Today’s Bit is Jesus answering Pilate’s out of order question. ‘Speakest thou unto me? knowest thou not that I have power (authority) to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?’ (John 19:10) But little did Pilate know to whom he was addressing such indignant and presumptuous questions, else he would have fallen down on his knees right there and pleaded to Jesus for forgiveness. Anytime I read Jesus’ repartee to some questions, I just have to laugh, because He uses words so powerfully, yet not destructively. Jesus had the ability to put you down without making you feel totally stupid. You knew that you’d lost the war of words, but you didn’t feel the need to attack Him. Most of the time those he bested in arguments just walked away, though not thrilled. And it was the same with Pilate, when Jesus answered; ‘Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that hath delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.’ All truth, which we shall investigate shortly, but I just want to note here Pilate’s reaction to Jesus’ words. ‘And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him.’ (John 19:12) Pilate wasn’t that dumb. He understood what Jesus meant, that it was His accusers who were the real bad guys. He therefore tried to extricate himself from the uncomfortable situation, especially when he realized there was no real or substantive evidence against Jesus and the Jews were just trying to railroad Him. But the Jews were so intent on getting their way that they threatened Pilate himself. ‘If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.’ (John 19:12) Oh Friends, you see the depths of dishonesty and guile to which we can sink to get our own way? The Jews hated Caesar for the oppressive mantle he laid on them, but such was their intense dislike and fear of Jesus, that they were willing to enlist Caesar’s name to get rid of Him. But let’s get back to Jesus statement that Pilate could have no authority over Him unless it came from the Father. That’s gospel truth mih people! Since our God controls everything, we can only do stuff if He allows it. John the Baptist acknowledged this when his disciples complained that Jesus was baptizing and drawing away John’s crowds. ‘John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.’ (John 3:27) And how can we resist the fiery words of Bruh Paul when he declares that we should honour authority. ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (governing authorities). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of (appointed by) God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (judgement). (Rom.13:1-2) It’s also interesting to note Jesus’ speech, as reported by Luke, to the captains and chief priests who came with a mob to get Him at Gethsemane. ‘Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.’ (Luke 22:52-53) All the time He was teaching and preaching in the temple, in the daylight, they had ample opportunity to lay hold on Him, but didn’t, because it was not the appointed time. Jesus concurs with that after entering Jerusalem and certain Greeks who also came for the Passover feast asked to see Him. ‘Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause (purpose) came I unto this hour.’ (John 12:27) Yes my people, the chief priests and captains were only able to arrest Jesus that night in the Garden of Gethsemane because it was time for that part of the Father’s plan to be put into effect. Look at all the other times they tried to lay hold of Him, unsuccessfully. Even when he healed on the Sabbath and tongue lashed them in the temple, they couldn’t apprehend Him. ‘Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.’ (John 7:30) It’s plain to see then Friends, that Jesus’ sojourn here on earth, and all His unfortunate, unjust predicaments were not mere happenstance, but all part of a major plan that the Most High God Jehovah had put in place to recover and restore His lost, sinful, disobedient children to their rightful place; under His safe, comforting wings. Because He LOVED us so much, He wanted us to come back to Him, but since He was also a just and righteous God, He had to find a way for it to be just and right too. In the end, He had to sacrifice His only Son Jesus, because only a sinless sacrifice could bear our multitude of sins, and Jesus was the only sinless, unblemished character in existence, besides the Father. How shall we then repay that most significant sacrifice of LOVE eh Friends? We can never really repay it, but we can be eternally grateful by showing requited LOVE, thanks, glory, obedience and praise. And that’s all our God wants anyway. Much LOVE!…let’s make our God happy…by LOVING Him…being obedient…and spreading His Holy Word…
SCRIP-BITS 