After examining Jesus, Pilate planned to release Him because he found “no guilt in Him” (John 19:6). Yet the Jewish leaders insisted that Jesus “ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God” (John 19:7).
Hearing this worried Pilate. He asked Jesus where He was from but received no response. Pilate tried to convince Him to answer, citing his authority to release Him or to crucify Him (John 19:10). Jesus said, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…” (John 19:11).
This statement indicated that this was unfolding according to God’s plan. Yet there is an underlying principle in Jesus’ statement that applies more broadly than just to this event.
Whatever our position, the only real authority we have is what God allows us to have. Civil leaders have the authority to rule (Romans 13:1) but do not have the authority to issue laws that contradict God’s law. The husband is the head of the household (Ephesians 5:23) but has no right to misuse or abuse his position. Elders oversee the local church (1 Peter 5:2) but are not permitted to introduce doctrines or practices for which there is no authority in the New Testament.
So remember that we have no authority unless given from above. If we find ourselves in a position of leadership, we need to remember that we are accountable to God. We have no right to follow a path that is different from the one shown to us in God’s word.