All part of the plan

Slices

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Are you a planner, or do you prefer to live more spontaneously? What are the pros and cons?

Bible passage

John 19:16b–27

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, ‘Do not write “The King of the Jews”, but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.’

22 Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

24 ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,

‘They divided my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.’

So this is what the soldiers did.

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ 27 and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

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John’s account of the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion is surprisingly succinct. Did it pain him to dwell on what he had seen and heard? He points us to Pilate’s notice (a retaliatory snub to the Jewish leaders: vs 21,22), proclaiming loud and clear, in empire-encompassing languages, the supposed crime Jesus had committed. Intended as a deterrent, it became a declaration: this is how God’s true representative, partnering with his true reign, redeems the rebels and restores the ruins of his creation.

What’s remarkable about this and how the soldiers fulfil detailed scriptural prophecies (v 24), is that those acting against God unknowingly participate in his plan. I find this incredibly reassuring! Our God takes the work of wicked powers and people and turns it to good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). If he can do that, what match are my mistakes for him?! If nothing in all creation can derail his purposes or separate us from his love (Romans 8:31–39), we’ve nothing and no one to fear – not even ourselves. 

Providing for Mary in his final moments, Jesus remains true to God’s words and ways. Knowing that God’s faithfulness to his good, spoken, sovereign plans is unstoppable enables us to look beyond ourselves, whatever we face. This is the solid foundation for remaining true to him and all he’s made us to be. 
 

Author
Cath Butler

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