Once Jesus was arrested, he was taken before the prefect Pontius Pilate. Outside, the crowd was calling for his death. Pilate questioned the Savior but received no response.

Then he said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?”

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

Pilate felt even more pressured by the situation: He was abruptly realizing that his authority did not come from the Roman Empire, but from God Himself.

Unfortunately, he was not up to the task. For this reason, the Creator commands us to pray and submit to higher authorities, because there is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1).

Every police officer we see on the streets, every mayor, congressman, judge, prosecutor, or president, are authorities appointed by the Most High. They may or may not know it; they may be corrupt or shining examples of honor.

What matters is that they need our support in prayer and our respect for their high office to maintain the order established by God.