In a previous post, Forgiveness, the Jesus Way, we quoted the following from Luke's gospel account:
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
[Luke 23 : 33 - 34 NIV]
Those who conspired to put Jesus on the cross and those who brutally beat him and murdered him were doing the work of Satan and those he motivated.
Satan's determination to get rid of Jesus and to curtail the kingdom work of the Messiah was his aim, and it is likely he thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross.
But no! God's plan was for Jesus to enter human death and destroy it from the inside for the benefit of all humanity.
The wicked plans and actions of Jesus' enemies were what God used to implement His plan of redeeming the human race.
... God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 3 -4 GNT]
Jesus himself said that by the means of the cross all people would eventually be drawn to him.
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[And John added,] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
[John 12 : 32 NIV]
Jesus knew the cross was a key component in the Father's plan to save the world.
And Satan and his minions played their role, even though they had no idea they were playing a designated part in a plan that was the opposite of theirs.
I am so often amazed, but should not be, to see how God gets done what He has previously decided to do, and uses whatever circumstances and people are available at the time.
He is truly sovereign.
People can make many different plans. But only the Lord’s plan will happen.
[Proverbs 19 : 21 ICB]
Or as the Living Bible puts it "Man proposes, but God disposes."
It is so comforting to know God is sovereign, God is in control, and He has plans for our eventual good, even when it is not always obvious to us. (It was certainly not obvious to the disciples who saw their Messiah crucified.)
That's why we have been encouraged to live by faith, by trust in our sovereign heavenly Father.
for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—
[2 Corinthians 5 : 7 AMP]
Blessings, Barry
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