John 19:8-11 -- On Choices in Context

"When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 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."
John 19:8-11


This seems like a situation with a lot of underlying emotion. I imagine that Pilate is worried that this person is important, perhaps divine, not to be touched, and he seems to want to help Jesus here... to have an excuse to let him go. And I imagine that Jesus understands this, and doesn't want to die of himself, so a hard situation for him too. He's been betrayed, and he knows that he could say the right things and have this man release him, or alternatively really just walk out with the assistance of however many angels. He is who he says he is, and the people around him *should* be afraid because they have no idea what kinds of consequences they are heaping on their heads.

... And yet, the Father's will is that he humble himself and submit to this atrocity, so he keeps his mouth shut. I think when he does speak he is acknowledging that Pilate is trying to help, but putting to rest the illusion of power. And I feel like it's a lesson about who really has power and working within that framework. We know, reading this, that Christ is going to die, and that was the plan all along... but the choices and actions that are happening within the framework of God's will still matter, and trying to do the right thing, or failing to do the right thing still matters to your soul... as it is in our lives as well. God knows how the chapters go. He wrote them. The world ends, and the wheat and the tares are separated, and the field burned... and renewed, and the happy ending waiting for those willing to accept the gift and walk on the path that leads to it.

Today, let's remember how much our choices matter even when we know the overall plot. :) Let's acknowledge the Lord's hand, but still work as hard as we can for good, making the world better rather than worse, and having a positive impact on the people whose lives we have touched.