Word@Work Luke325 - Luke 22:21-23
Published: Thu, 03/31/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DIVINE PURPOSE AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
Luke 22:21-23 "But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. (NIV)
There is no doubt that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was both very bad and very good, at the same time. It had all the marks of Satan's evil destructive malice against God; and yet it secured salvation for all who trust in the sacrifice of Jesus (see www.crosscheck.org.uk). However, some people get confused. They think that if the betrayal of Judas was all part of God's plan leading Jesus to His death, then surely he should not be blamed for his thoughts and actions.
But these verses resolve the problem. The Lord Jesus clearly stated that His death and the events leading up to it were all known to Father God - and more than that, He had decreed them. At the same time, He knew who would betray Him, and that Judas would be held fully accountable for his deliberate betrayal of the Saviour. Even though God would bring blessing to millions through Satan's manipulation of Judas, the deceived man would bear the full weight of God's anger for selling His Lord.
It is beyond our minds to find a formula which makes logical sense to us: that is why we need the words of Jesus to assure us that two things which we think must be mutually incompatible, are both true at the same time. The work of Judas was very bad and the plan of God was very good. The man was fully responsible and would be eternally punished for his sin, and the Lord would be eternally praised for achieving our salvation through the death of Christ. As always, we are responsible for the choices we make, and for allowing the lies of Satan to speak to our hearts. And, as always, God knows how to weave His plan through the darkest human wickedness, as well as through lives fully devoted to Him. The question is never, "Will God succeed in His plan?", but "Will I receive the blessing which comes from making choices which willingly accept His Lordship and cooperate with Him?"
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for the words of Jesus which dispel any confusion about the interaction of Your plan and our actions. You alone know how You will achieve Your purposes, and that is not for me to know. But I know that I am accountable for the life You have given to me, and that I must make godly choices. Please help me to trust You for all that I cannot know, and at the same time to obey You in all that You have revealed, so that I may enter into the blessings which flow from obedience. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
There is no doubt that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was both very bad and very good, at the same time. It had all the marks of Satan's evil destructive malice against God; and yet it secured salvation for all who trust in the sacrifice of Jesus (see www.crosscheck.org.uk). However, some people get confused. They think that if the betrayal of Judas was all part of God's plan leading Jesus to His death, then surely he should not be blamed for his thoughts and actions.
But these verses resolve the problem. The Lord Jesus clearly stated that His death and the events leading up to it were all known to Father God - and more than that, He had decreed them. At the same time, He knew who would betray Him, and that Judas would be held fully accountable for his deliberate betrayal of the Saviour. Even though God would bring blessing to millions through Satan's manipulation of Judas, the deceived man would bear the full weight of God's anger for selling His Lord.
It is beyond our minds to find a formula which makes logical sense to us: that is why we need the words of Jesus to assure us that two things which we think must be mutually incompatible, are both true at the same time. The work of Judas was very bad and the plan of God was very good. The man was fully responsible and would be eternally punished for his sin, and the Lord would be eternally praised for achieving our salvation through the death of Christ. As always, we are responsible for the choices we make, and for allowing the lies of Satan to speak to our hearts. And, as always, God knows how to weave His plan through the darkest human wickedness, as well as through lives fully devoted to Him. The question is never, "Will God succeed in His plan?", but "Will I receive the blessing which comes from making choices which willingly accept His Lordship and cooperate with Him?"
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for the words of Jesus which dispel any confusion about the interaction of Your plan and our actions. You alone know how You will achieve Your purposes, and that is not for me to know. But I know that I am accountable for the life You have given to me, and that I must make godly choices. Please help me to trust You for all that I cannot know, and at the same time to obey You in all that You have revealed, so that I may enter into the blessings which flow from obedience. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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