The tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is played out throughout Scripture. Perhaps the most famous example would be the story of Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery, that started a chain of events. The Bible tells us that throughout, it was God Who orchestrated the events (Gen 50:20). Our reflections during this season surface yet another of such interplays. Who is responsible for putting Jesus on the cross?
Contenders are aplenty – It was Judas who betrayed Jesus to the authorities (Mt 26:48,49). It was the religious leaders who brought Jesus to Pilate to be executed (Jn 18:28). It was Pilate who delivered Jesus to be crucified (Mt 27:26). It was the crowd that kept screaming, ‘Crucify Him!’ (Mt 27:22,23). It was the soldiers who hammered in the nails (Mt 27:35).
But from other Bible records, we can observe clearly the underlying realities of divine sovereignty at work. The Bible records that Jesus was smitten by God (Isa 53:4); It was God Who did not spare His own Son (Rom 8:32); It was God Who gave (Jn 3:16). Jesus came to give His life as a ransom (Mk 10:45); Jesus declared in Jn 10:18, ‘No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.’. In reply to Pilate’s assertion that he had the authority to crucify Him, Jesus replied that such authority could only be approved by God (Jn 19:10,11).
From yet another perspective, it was our sins that necessitated His crucifixion (Isa 53:4). Different people reminisce, ‘It wasn’t the nails but love for you and me that kept Jesus on the cross.’.
Blessed Lenten thoughts.
Richard Lai
