"Love and Mercy on the Cross"

 "Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentile and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had devided beforehand should happen."

 Acts 4:27-28

   Satan clearly played the leading role in instigating the Crucification. He entered the heart of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. Satan-sponsored evil was working in the heart of the Jewish mob who clamored for Jesus' crucification. The Devil puffed up Pilate with pride and intimidate him with fear so that he would condemn an innocent man in order to gain political popularity. Finally, Satan-sponsored sin provoked the cruel soldier to ridicule Jesus with spit and slaps in the face.

    And how did the early christian view it all? They praised God that the men responsible for Christ's death had only done what divine power and will had decided beforehand should happen. In his most daring attempt to frustrate the plan of God, Satan cut his own throat and performed the deed that was God's provision for man's redemption.

    Suppose God the Father had taken the view many modern Christians take the view that says that anything Satan wants must be bad for God's people? It's the same. Iew that implies that if Satan wants one thing to happen, God must want the exact opposite to happen. The result? God would have canceled the Crucification. If God had done that, none of us would be saved!

   The truth is Satan and God may want the exact same event to take place but for different reasons. Satan's motives in Jesus crucification was rebellion; God's motive was love and mercy.

    Lord, I realize that although Satan was a secondary cause behind the cross, it was the Father who ultimately willed it and allowed the Devil to carry  it out. It's a mystery. . . and I praise You for Your mysterious ways . . . We have salvation because of them!