“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23)
There was a time when Peter saw no purpose in the unjust suffering and death of His Lord. It was foolishness to him. Why should the innocent be wronged? Why should the wicked triumph? Jesus had to be mistaken about this course of action. “… Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (Mt. 16:22)
The apostles came to realize that what seemed foolish to men, was the very wisdom of God. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). This is not to say that they exonerated the wicked hands of men that crucified Jesus. No, the cross was cruelly designed by man with malicious intent. But they understood that it was through this very act of depravity and humiliation at the hand of man that God would shine with His greatest glory. What they meant for evil, God would turn for good.
We marvel whenever we see or experience great evil or great good. How can this be? What is behind such callous cruelty or behind such amazing grace? Marvel at the magnitude of God’s goodness. Don’t marvel at the depth of man’s evil. Don’t be astonished when they act in a way that they shouldn’t. If they don’t know God, they are capable of anything, even crucifying God Himself. But if you should be on the receiving end of such evil, know that God wants to use it to bring forth His glory and goodness in you. It is all good, if you love God and are the called according to His purpose. He would work all things, even the worst things, together for the greater good of manifesting His glory and grace.
The greatest purpose God has for each of His saints is that they should glorify Him. Shine brightly in your darkest day. Cause the world around you to marvel.
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5)