The World's Great Powers

John 19:10 KJV

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?

There are two great powers visible here and another, unseen but still active:

• The one, the power of government
• The second, the power of heaven
• The third the power of Satan

Pilate believed he wielded all the power. In truth he had but little. 

• He worked for Rome
• He was responsible to keep peace
• The Jews would only be peaceful through his compromise. 

This man was completely at the mercy of his superiors, his peers and his charge. The situation drove him. He had not power at all to speak of

Satan has always thought he is a power. 

• He lords over his kingdom abusing those in his grasp. 
• He revels in the pain and suffering he creates
• He blinds, binds and betrays those whose allegiance belongs to him

These two powers appeared to have won the day over the final of the three. 

• It was Christ who was captured
• It was Christ whose life was being debated
• It was Christ the crowds jeered and called to die

• Pilate believed he was in control
• Satan thought he had defeated God

But Jesus was sovereign over it all.

• The power of Rome fell
• The kingdom of Satan was delivered its death blow and
• Heaven's doors flung open for Christ and His followers 

all because the power at work on Calvary 

• Was not Pilate's
• Was not Satan's but
• Was that of Jesus Christ