John 19:7-11 (ESV Strong's)
The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Subject: Sovereignty of God
In chapter 19 of this beloved Gospel, John is remembering Christ's crucifixion. He is reminding us of the torture, the politics and the envy behind it. Pilate was a leader who "thought" he had some control over the situation. When he thought about releasing Jesus the Jews, in envy, would accuse him of not being a friend of Caesar. That would move him to follow through. But, not before Pilate was told that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate, upon hearing such a claim, asks Jesus where He is from. That would be funny in any other setting. Jesus would not answer Pilate which caused Pilate to use his do-you-know-who-I-am voice. Here is where we see the sovereignty of God spoken by Jesus. Although Pilate and the Jews were the instrument, God was sending His Son to die on the cross for us. This wicked scene was a sovereign act of God's love for mankind. Pilate wanted to think he was playing a large role in the act. But, he was just an instrument. God simply removed His grace from the scene and that allowed the sin of man to do what it does, kill!! The wages of sin is death. Man, without God's grace, is a deadly machine. This scene, as horrific as it was, was only happening because God removed His grace to provide His Son for our substitute.
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