Day 672: Men's plots and God's plan - Luke 23 vs 1 - 12

1-2 Then the whole company of them arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3-4 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”  Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” 6-7 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 

8-9 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10-11 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Luke 23:1-12 English Standard Version

Verse 12 is terribly sad. Two men who had the blood of Jesus on their hands became the best of friends. Pilate had lacked courage to set Jesus free when he found no guilt in him. Herod merely had an idle curiosity. Like many others, he hoped to see Jesus 'perform a miracle'. But he had absolutely no concern about the condition of his soul. So Jesus gave him no answers, even though Herod questioned Him at length. Some 1400 years earlier Moses said that those who “seek the Lord” would find Him “if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

What happened that day was no accident. Some months later, after Jesus had risen and returned to heaven, the apostles Peter and John were arrested and put on trial for preaching that Jesus is the Messiah. When there wasn't enough evidence to convict them of a crime the Jewish leaders had to release them. When they re-joined the other Christians we're told that the Church raised their voices to God and said: “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: 'Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah.' For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:24-28)

The sham trial Jesus went through before Pontius Pilate and King Herod Antipas didn't mean God had lost control of events on the earth. His eternal plan of salvation was actually coming to it's climax, and governors and kings were fulfilling God's purposes. This doesn't mean God made them do something against their will. They became friends! They had each behaved in a way the other one respected.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not an accident of history. It was also not an event where Satan got the upper hand against God. It was something that had been predestined by God. God loved the nations of the world so much that He gave His beloved Son. That 'giving' included a giving up of His Son to the hands of men to nail Him to a cross. Amazing love, can it be, that you my God would die for me! “Greater love,” said Jesus, “has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:13-14) If you are a follower of Christ, you can echo the words the early Church cried out in Acts 4:24-28. And they then went on to pray: “Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all  boldness.” (Acts 4:29)