Have you heard of the powerful principle of John 19:11?

Just about at Jesus’ weakest moment, right before he is stabbed to the cross, Pilate pretends he has power over Jesus — to “free you or to crucify you.”

How Jesus replies is astounding, and it is a principle we’re capable of utilising.

Jesus says in John 19:11a — “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

God ordains the power for humanity to act — humanity is ‘free’ to act in love or to commit evil.  And in these decisions are the tests of our lives.  We will be called to account on every decision.

God gives us all power to act.  It is up to us whether we’ll use that power to honour or dishonour God.  How we use the power to act that we’re given is the temptation of our heart.  No reprehensive feat will go unnoticed.  Neither will every gracious deed.  God sees it all.  And yet, when we endure abuse, we know most assuredly the abuser does what they do on God’s watch.  

Not only that, when a person partners with wickedness, they foolishly think they’ll not be forced to account.  The wisest life, however, understands that all will account one day.  If that won’t convince us to do acts of love, I’m not sure what will.

Jesus also says in John 19:11b — “Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Jesus knew full well what the chief priests were doing; setting a net for their own feet.  And in both A and B parts of John 19:11, Jesus is reminding Pilate of the source of his power (i.e. it’s not his!) and demonstrating the empathy of forgiveness which otherwise says, “I know you’re in a situation where you’re just an actor in this God-willed pantomime.”  Pilate doesn’t really have a clue.

In our own personal and private situations, where it seems others have power over us, never truly recognising it is God’s power they’re abusing if they choose to lord it over us, we can have peace in knowing, from an eternal viewpoint, that it’s far better to be abused than to abuse.  This might grate, but it’s nevertheless true.  From an everlasting viewpoint.

I hope this is an encouragement to you to face persecution for the glory of God, knowing that, according to the Lord Jesus himself, you’re “blessed,” and you can “rejoice and be glad” (see Matthew 5:11-12), despite what it costs you.  It’s the Jesus way for the followers of Jesus.  Those who say they follow in Jesus’ name yet propagate abuse know Jesus not.

The more we live from a viewpoint looking back from eternity, the wiser and more caring the life we will lead.

There is one thing for certain, despite how infracted we may feel.  People only have power over us to the extent that their treatment of us will have consequences if they abuse us or, worse, abuse and don’t repent.  Every abuse that is done is a failure to recognise who sees.

Photo by Michael Krahn on Unsplash