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Reflections: Daily Devotions in Disability Ministry

Look Deeper

August 28, 2010

John 19:10-11a
"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above….” (NIV)

In today’s Scripture reading, Jesus was standing before Pontius Pilate. Pilate was judging Him. It would be so very easy for Pilate to put our Lord to death. And it would have been very easy for Jesus to avoid death. All He had to do was admit that Pilate had that earthly power and beg him for mercy.

Yet, Jesus was telling Pilate that it is what is unseen, not seen, that matters. That is where the ultimate Truth lies, and where the ultimate Power exists. Jesus himself reflected this in the passage above. Pilate can do nothing to Jesus unless God would allow it.

In the same manner, Paul did not see himself as Caesar’s prisoner. The Roman Emperor may have seen himself as the ruler of the whole world, but there is a much higher authority in charge. Behind Caesar is Jesus. Yet Caesar cannot see him. Emperor Caesar can do nothing to Paul unless the Lord Jesus Christ allows it. Paul sees beyond the chains and the walls. He sees Jesus and His almighty authority.

Much of what we see is what we take at face value and believe, instead of looking at what is unseen. We see a world full of suffering, and human need is everywhere. People hate one another, bigotry is all over the news and misery exists around every corner. We see people in governments looking out for themselves and not the average people. We wonder just who is in charge.

Yet, the One who has called us sees life more clearly than we do. No matter what it looks like to our earthly eyes, Jesus is Lord of the Universe. He is the Big Boss. Nothing happens without His say so.

So as Christians, we are to reflect Jesus’ holiness as we live out our lives. We are to follow His Word and walk with the Lord’s hand in ours, trusting in what we cannot see, but know to be true. Jesus is Lord. He is the King. He is in charge.

Dear Jesus, thank You for helping us to understand that You are there with us through these hard times. Please help us to remember that You are beside us as we walk with You. You are in command, and we follow You. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Pamela Martens, Ministry Consultant – CA
http://bethesdalutherancommunities.org/resources/spiritualResources/pmc.asp

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