Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 13:1–18; Acts 23:12–35
“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" (Psalm 47:8; Introit for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity)
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. (Psalm 47:3, 6–8)
There are a lot of really bad nations. There are lots of evil people who rule as tyrants. Yet, none of them would have any authority at all, if it did not first come from God.
There are many times when evil governments think that they are invincible. The Greeks thought their reign would last forever. So did the Romans. In the end, all world powers fall.
Some people think that since God has placed evil people in power, then God Himself must be evil. This is not true. God allows evil people at times to remain in power, not because He is evil, but because He is merciful. Even though they may be evil, God is working in hidden ways through them—in ways they do not even realize.
God reigns over the nations. With a mere murmur from His lips, they crumble and fall. But when He raises them up, it is always for a purpose.
During times of great empires, kings and people alike think that the emperors are the ones who are in control. They fool themselves. They are blind to the spiritual reality which is hidden from human eyes. While it might appear that evil tyrants hold all power and authority, the spiritual reality is that it is the Lamb that was slain who truly sits enthroned. The One who appears to have been defeated is really the victor and vindicator.
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the Governor claimed to have the authority to let Jesus go. Jesus corrected Pilate. The Governor would have had no authority if it had not been given to him from above.
Pilate was wrong. He did not have the power to let Jesus go. God was sending His own Son to the cross to die for us. God was reigning over Pilate in this; Pilate could not stop what Jesus (and the Father) had established. Pilate could not stop Jesus from being crucified for us. Truly, Jesus shows Himself to be reigning over Pilate here. He truly is the King over the kings.
The Rev. Carlton Hein, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Loveland, CO, is the author for this portion of the Trinity season.