A cross predicted and Planned

1When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2“As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5“But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5)

Thoughts: Myrtle Beach South Carolina used to swell from 30,000 people in the winter to over 300,000 in the summer.  That is a little bit like Jerusalem that swelled in Jesus' day from 80,000 to about one million at Passover.  Roman soldiers were always more nervous at Passover with all of the people.  in fact, most of the rebellions against the Romans occurred over the Passover Feast. 
      Matthew records that Jesus predicted he would be "handed over" which has a bit of betrayal inference in the words.  He specifically predicted he would be crucified.  Before the leaders decided that Jesus should be killed, Jesus predicted it.  None of this happens apart from God's knowledge and ultimately God's will.  There are many who say God does not will evil.  In a sense that is true.  One day He will put an end to it.  But in the between time, God uses even evil to accomplish His purposes.  The cross is certainly a visible symbol of human evil that God used to pay for sins and that led to the triumph of the resurrection. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to see that my life is in your hands.  This chaotic and sinful world is not on its own.  Give me grace to hold onto you in the chaos around me.