Here is a remarkable pair of verses:We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor 2:6, 7.
There were quite a few attempts on Christ's life. There was Herod. Herod killed all the male children under two in the Bethlehem area. But he missed Him.
There was the time they tried to throw Him over a cliff outside Nazareth; and the time the Jews took up stones to stone Him after He claimed to be divine. Each time He walked through the midst of them and went on His way. They couldn't kill Him yet: He had a job to do.
Then came what He described to the chief priests, the captains of the temple and the Jewish elders as "your hour, and the power of darkness." He had come to make a way for people's sins to be forgiven. There was a price to be paid. It was a terrible price. Now He had to die.
(In the garden, He had prayed "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." There was no reply. There was no other way.)
He allowed them to take Him. He was condemned, mocked, spat upon, beaten, scourged. He was nailed to His cross.
When Jesus died, they thought they had got rid of Him. But God had it all in hand.
Sunday was coming.
