John 19:11 “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
The Source of All Authority
Isn’t it amazing how kids can work one authority against another, as in pitting Mom against Dad? That’s human nature! Oftentimes, adults can act in much the same way. In John 19, we find a contrast between Christ’s submission and the authority’s rebellion. Caesar, Pilate, and Caiaphas all had authority, but there was (and is) only one authority. That one authority was embodied in the man Jesus Christ.
The Lord made it very clear in verse 11 that the authority Pilate possessed was given to him by God. “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.” We are wise to remember that all authority comes from Heaven. Romans 13:1 says it this way: “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” There is one authority in this world, and that is God Almighty. He has delegated authority in many different ways to many different people. Not all authorities honor God or do right, but any authority any person has comes from the merciful hand of God.
Since all authority comes from Heaven, all authorities are accountable to Heaven. That means you stand accountable for what you do with the authority God has entrusted to you. Pilate tried to dismiss his responsibility by saying, “I find no fault in him,” but that doesn’t pass in the court of Heaven. Don’t pass the buck with the authority you have been given by God!
How are you stewarding the authority you have been given? How are you responding to the authority of others? If God has placed authorities in your life, it is good, healthy, and wise to voluntarily place yourself under that authority. Authority comes from Heaven, and authorities are accountable to Heaven.