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TRUTH IS ETERNAL (JOHN 19:1-16a)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Truth is eternal.” “Truth is eternal” is the fact that is immutable or remains unchanged. We shall reflect on the fact that it is an eternal truth that human authority or power is ephemeral or temporary and comes from God.

Dear friend, it is an eternal truth that no human government or authority is established unless it is given power by God. During Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, he said to Jesus “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above…” (John 19:10-11). In other words, Jesus has taught us that human leaders are subservient to the power of God. They are merely stewards exercising the power granted to them by God. Paul also reshoed the same eternal truth in Romans 13:1 when he wrote, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1). Beloved in the Lord, leaders or human authorities are greatly admonished to acknowledge the sovereignty of God as the creator, sustainer, elevator and giver of power or authority to rule over others.

A leader’s tenure in office may come to an end through exhaustion of the required term of office. He or she may become sick or involved in an accident and become bedridden or suffer premature death. These events must continually remind us that we are mere mortals who are fragile and vulnerable. Again these event must remind us that power is not possession and that power is transient. Like Pontius Pilate, we become become power drunk and frequently issue threats at our subordinates or subjects. We use phrases such as “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” (John 19:10). “Do know I have the power to demote you?” “I will show you where power lies, I will teach you a lesson, Do you know me? I will make sure you are transferred, I will make sure you suffer, how dare you?”. Many of us become vindictive and capricious when we are given power or elevated to a higher position. We become unreasonable in our judgement and fail to be governed by the rule of law. We become mini gods and make utterances as if the position we occupy will never come to an end. We are reminded that all things shall pass but only God is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 21:6)

Beloved in the Lord, as leaders or people who occupy various positions of power in our churches and communities, we must humble ourselves and always follow Jesus’ example of servant-leadership when he said to the disciples ““You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28) Let us remember that we are only stewards who are only performing our duty and “…make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

In summary, we have been greatly reminded of the eternal truth that power is ephemeral or temporary, and it comes from God. As leaders and people who hold positions of power, we must endeavour to fear God, acknowledge his sovereignty, and be good stewards of the power or positions we occupy or exercise.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to humble ourselves and be good stewards of the power granted to us by God to rule or govern.