December 24, 2011 (John 19-21)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Then Jesus said, ‘You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” John 19:11 NLT
Observation: Jesus was the perfect example of how we must embrace and surrender to God’s will. We must except and realize that nothing happens to us without God knowing. No enemy has any power over us except that which God has given them. And if God gives them the power over us, it will ultimately be for our good. Even the power that was given to Pilate and the High Priest Caiaphas came from God. It was all a part of His plan. This part of God’s plan may be difficult to understand, as it is with all suffering, but we must trust completely in our sovereign God who always knows best. Trusting God is not always easy, but in the end it is always best.
Application: Remember the hours Jesus spent in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? Those were not just moments of passing prayer, but rather a battle ground of the soul. Those hours prepared Jesus to willingly surrender to the power that God was going to give to the wicked oppressors that sought His life. Because of Christ full surrender to God’s will and plan, He was in complete control through out His death. He trusted His Father completely. He did His Fathers will throughout the entire process. He patiently suffered and endured for my sake and yours. His great love for mankind was revealed through His willingness to surrender and suffer even though He was “Not Guilty”.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for Jesus! Thank You for His willingness to suffer in my place. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. God I pray You will not give my enemy power over me. I pray that You would set me free from their wrath, however, if it’s Your will that I must suffer give me the strength to endure it with the gracefulness of Christ. I desire Your will, even if it means pain and suffering. I plead for mercy and grace my Lord! Hear my feeble plea for help and rescue me! Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. In Jesus name, Amen!