Writ & Whimsy

One thing that fascinates me is how often God uses wicked people to reveal his will. They can’t get out of it. From wicked kings who mete out God’s judgement on his people for their sins to Baalam who’s hand is forced into blessing Israel when he would really, really just like to make a buck by cursing them. Jonah positively writhes with anger at being the instrument of God’s mercy towards Ninevah. In the Gospel of John it is even more explicit:

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

John 11:49-52 ESV

The Rabbi Gamaliel said of Peter and the apostles:

So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

Acts 5:38-39 ESV

And here we are a couple thousand years later.

Today I noticed another example in Matthew 27

Jesus has been brought to trial before Pilate. There is a lot of back and forth between the crowd and Pilate until finally they wear him down and he gives in. Pilate says “I am innocent of this man’s blood, it is your responsibility” as the frenzied crowd cries “Crucify him!”

And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 

Matthew 27:25

Let that sink in for a moment. The only thing that can save them – us – from our wickedness is His blood. The blood that Pilate just washed his hands of is the only thing that can absolve him of what he has just done. It is in this moment that they really have no idea what they are doing; neither the gravity and wickedness of it, or the way that God will fulfill their very words according to His mercy. If only we will admit that we are wicked and that the only thing that can absolve us, broken, wicked humanity is his blood.

So yes, let His blood be on us and on our children. Amen.