John 19 | God's Use of Evil Kings

So he (Pilate) then handed Him over to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:16-17)

We forgot God. Consumed by the nearness of this world, we often leave the Unseen Hand out of the equation. But God is always there, moving things to His ultimate purposes and the final consummation of this world.

AN UNWILLING PARTICIPANT

Pilate was the ruler who made the final decision to crucify Jesus. He didn’t want to kill Jesus. Even his wife tried to dissuade him. But he was a crowd-pleaser. The fervor of the crowd frightened him and led to his decision to pander to their wishes.

What Pilate did not realize was that this Jesus was the Promised One. The One who was born to die. He who had come to give His life as a ransom for many. Pilate was simply a pawn in this picture of God’s perfect provision for his sins and ours.

CURRENT REALITIES

We look at the political process and think it is all determined by us. But there is another Force behind the scenes. He is accomplishing His will. He puts up one king and puts down another. Sometimes His purposes are judgment upon a rebellious nation. Sometimes it is His mercy.

But just remember this: God is sovereignly in control. We are to faithfully do our part in following His leadership and will. But never forget that God is working. He is building a new kingdom and the gates of Hell can never stop it!

Father, thank You for Your sovereignty over all. Give me wisdom to know my role in Your great agenda, but ultimate faith in Your controlling hand.