S) "10 So Pilate *said to Him, 'You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?' 11 Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given to you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.'"
John 19:10-11 (NASB)
O) By his own admission, Pilate had the authority to release Jesus. Regardless of what the mob outside was crying, he held the authority. The thing about authority is, that person bears responsibility for their actions done with that authority. Jesus confirms the culpability of Pilate, when he said the "one who delivered" (referring to Judas, or else possibly Caiaphas) had the greater sin. That is to say, Pilate would indeed be guilty of a sin in his refusal to release Jesus, even if it was a lesser sin by comparison. Now, about the authority given to Pilate, it is a little unclear exactly who Jesus means had given that to Pilate. On the one hand, God is certainly above, and He sets rulers over people (see Romans 13:1). On the other hand Pilate was a kind of regent of Caesar, given political authority of the area by a higher ruler, with others above him in a heirarchy. In either case, I think Jesus was humbling Pilate, asserting that he wasn't as able as he maybe thought himself to be.
A) While I'm surely never going to have a hand such a dramatic display of authority or power, the temptation to think I am more able than I truly am, creeps up more often than I like. Specific to authority, I must remember that I am not sovereign in any arena. In my family, my authority is given, really, solely by God's ordination of family. I am the head of my wife, and I have authority over my children. That authority is not mine to wield however it pleases me. I am still an agent of Jesus Christ, who is my head, to lead, serve, protect, teach, and love my family. My authority is not something that allows me to make choices on my whim, but it puts me at crossroads to take responsibility in leading them, and to some degree as testing me. In virtually any other area where I may have authority, it would first of all still be from God, but also with other people involved. In those instances, my authority is very much like over my family, in that it's still not about me or my achieving. Authority at work, or in ministry, or any other way, is still going to be about glorifying Jesus Christ as my Lord. I've often said about work, that I want to make my boss look good. That has never been more true, than it is about my Authority, Jesus Christ. I want to exercise any authority I have, to make my Superior, my Savior, look good.
P) Father, You are mighty and wise. You alone are truly sovereign, God. Whatever authority I am ever given, let me fill that role with proper respect to the responsibility I bear. Above all else, let me be focused on my responsibility to glorify my Lord, Jesus Christ. Let Your will be done in me, and through me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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