Stealth & Sovereignty: Wednesday of Holy Week

Since early in his ministry Jesus has been in constant conflict with Israel’s religious leaders, and they have desired his death.  (Mark 3:6)   This ongoing opposition is about to culminate with the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. 

On the Wednesday prior to the crucifixion Mark records this event: “It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him” (Mark 14:1)

Mark uses the word “stealth” to describe the plans of the Sanhedrin.  The word carries the meaning of deceit, craftiness, setting a snare or trap.  One of Jesus own disciples, Judas, is about to aid them greatly by offering to betray Jesus to them for a price. (Mark 10:11-12)

Yet while “stealth” is motivating the opponents of Jesus, the sovereign hand of God is guiding every aspect of these events according to the plan he ordained before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:3-10)

Peter announced the harmony of these two seemingly contradictory truths in several places in Acts.  He declares that what transpired at the hands of sinful men occurred according to the sovereign plan of God:

“this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God,   you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Acts 2:23

“for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:27-28)

The death of Jesus is attributed simultaneously to both the sovereign plan of God and the wickedness of humanity.

I notice that Peter does not simply charge those who executed Jesus with the crime, but he charges the entire multitude, “you crucified and killed” Jesus, Peter tells them. Even though many in this multitude were not even present when Jesus was executed, Peter says insists the entire multitude is guilty.

In this I recognize our guilt.  I recognize my guilt. 

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5) 

While I struggle to understand and reconcile human responsibility and divine sovereignty, my heart is filled with thankfulness for the grace and mercy God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.  I rest secure in truth declared by Joseph in Genesis 50:20, that what men meant for evil against God’s man,  “God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”