Ordained plan. From the beginning.
But religious leaders of the day were not picking up on God’s Word revealed. Prophecy fulfilled.
They just heard what Jesus said. And knew without a doubt by His choice of words: this rabbi, with his ragtag followers, was claiming to be God.
Blasphemy.
And they were furious. Deadly furious.
He would not be tolerated.
Schemes
Judas arrived with a convenient offer.
“Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him. And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16).
From here on out, “Judas” would forever be associated with betrayal.
But the schemes of religious leaders and an unfaithful one of the Twelve closest to Jesus only went so far.
Ordained plan
They could not cancel the Almighty’s ordained plan.
What they thought would destroy Jesus and decimate His followers turned into something they never dreamed possible. In all their years of temple sacrifices.
A sacrifice of a perfect Lamb. The Lamb of God.
Taking on not just the sin of that year or that people. But taking on the sin of the world. Once for all.
No sacrifice on repeat. Ever again.
Blind guides
Jesus called these religious leaders blind guides and white-washed tombs.
They so loudly and fiercely guarded the Law. But missed the fact that He fulfilled it. Keeping up legalistic appearances, they were living in darkness and taking others with them.
In Matthew 15, Jesus rebuked them for their hypocrisy. And said they were fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah.
“This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
They worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines human commands.”
Matthew 15:8-9
Fulfilled
They knew the prophecies.
These Scriptures had been told and written and repeated by them, by their fathers, by their fathers’ fathers. Generation after generation.
Turns out, this so-called blasphemer? He was the One despised and rejected by men. A man of suffering who bore our sicknesses and carried our pains. He’s the One pierced for our rebellion and crushed because of our iniquities. “…Punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” (Isaiah 53)
The Messiah foretold. Prophecies fulfilled.
No blasphemer, but the Faithful and True Word of God.
What a Savior
Yes, their plots and schemes led to the death and burial of Jesus Christ. But He arose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Fulfilling God’s plan for salvation. All who repent of sin and believe this Good News, have eternal life.
In the forty days following the resurrection, Jesus appeared to hundreds of witnesses, speaking about the Kingdom of God.
Before ascending to Heaven, He commissioned His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
He promised, then provided, the Holy Spirit to seal and indwell believers, teaching us His truth. Never leaving nor forsaking us.
And among those religious leaders who rejected the Messiah? In the end, there were some who turned and followed Him (Acts 6:7).
Hallelujah. What a Savior!
Related posts
Clay jar and the potter – Blood and sacrifice – Did God really say…? – Christmas prophecies – Disregard for Truth – Slow walk in the Word – Paths and prophets – Story –
Matthew 15:1-9 – Matthew 26:14-16 – Acts 6:7 – Isaiah 29:13-14 – Isaiah 53 – Matthew 28:18-20 – Acts 1:1-11 – 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 –
One reply on “Ordained plan”
Thank you for the reminder that nothing Judas or the religious elite did was beyond the plan of God – sometimes it is SO hard to see where God is working.
I pray often that He will keep my heart sensitive to His urgings.