Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Jesus was brought before Pilate, Pilate found no fault with Him.
Then the Jews told Pilate that Jesus said He was the Son of God, and
Pilate was afraid. He asked Jesus where He was from, but Jesus didn't
answer.
John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers
saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith
unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God. 8 When Pilate therefore heard
that saying, he was the more afraid; 9 And went again into the judgment
hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no
answer.
Pilate tried to cause Jesus to answer him by saying he had power to
crucify or to release Jesus. But Jesus told Pilate he would have no
power unless it had been given to him from above ...
John 19:10 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? 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.
Jesus was seeking to do the will of the Father, even when it meant He
would be put to death. Pilate said he had power to crucify or release
Jesus, but Jesus knew that unless it was the will of the Father, Pilate would not be able to do it. Therefore, Jesus
wasn't swayed by what Pilate said. He did steadfastly what was needed
so all scripture concerning His death would be fulfilled, including ... He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her
shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
People sometimes try to cause us to do what they want by
trying to bring fear, such as threatening to do something unwanted, or to withhold something desired. If we
seek things and standing in this world, or trust in ourselves or others to provide our needs, we put ourselves in a
position to be easily scared by these people.
But if we seek to do the will of God, and trust in God to provide all of
our needs and work out each matter in our lives ... turning to God and being willing to do
according to His will .... we fear God. We act, not out of fear of man,
but in obedience to God.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Jesus taught not to fear man, but to fear and trust in God, who cares for each detail of our lives ...
Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is
nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be
known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what
ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not
them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather
fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not
two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the
ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many
sparrows.