John writes of Jesus appearance before Pilate where Pilate is not inclined to sentence Him, because he did nothing wrong. However, that is not the will of God, and Jesus knew this. At the height of the discussion, Jesus says to Pilate as recorded in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now My kingdom is not from here."Jesus said this to Pilate after he had asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews. Jesus knew that Pilate was not really asking for himself, he was just acting as if he were much more important than Jesus. Jesus knew where He was from and where He was going, and where He would be reigning as Lord and King. Thus, because God was using Pilate to ensure that scripture was fulfilled, Jesus simply answered his questions.
Hopefully, we can be in tune with God so closely that we will know just like Jesus when to push back and when to let God's will be accomplished, no matter what the cost to us personally is.
The conversation continued and Jesus reminded Pilate of where his power comes from when Pilate stated he has the power to crucify or release Jesus. Jesus says in John 19:11, "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."
He spoke because Pilate assumed that he had more power than Jesus since he had the authority to condemn Jesus to death. However, Jesus knew that Pilate only received his power from God as does all rulers and leaders, even the authority of the state comes from God.
When we find ourselves in a position of authority or power, do we recognize that this ultimately comes from God? We are accountable to God on how we use this, as will the Jews that delivered Jesus to Pilate to be crucified.
We find the purpose of John's gospel written in John 20:30-31 where he writes, "And truly Jesus did many other things in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
John's purpose in writing this book was for readers to find faith and life in the verses. He recorded the seven signs and miracles which we wrote in a previous reflection. (The Seven Signs) These different snapshots in the photo album help us understand major events in the life of Jesus and helps us believe in a way that Jesus proclaimed to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John closes out his book with the commissioning of Peter to lead the church, and in the manner of God, states three times to Peter as recorded in John 21:15, 16 and 17, "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep."
Peter was given the opportunity through the forgiveness of Jesus to be a mighty warrior for the Lord, and ensured that the Christian church abounded. I think Jesus said to Peter three times to counter the three crowings of the rooster, so that Peter would only remember the love and forgiveness of the Lord, rather than remembering his denial of Jesus.
Jesus offers tangible love and boundless forgiveness to those who own up to their failures and repent. This is what we benefit from, and this is what we should offer to our families and friends as well.
Blessings to all
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