Afterward

I was reading in Genesis:

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:4-5)

I made the connection from there to a verse I recalled:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8)

And:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Did you notice what all three of these verses have in common?

God’s got a plan.

Most of the time, it’s a mystery. When Joseph’s brothers were planning on killing him, none of them considered that it would turn out that he would save them and their families. When Satan worked in the hearts of the crowds seeking Jesus’ death, they thought they were ending His ministry, thwarting God’s plan, not understanding the mystery. When Jesus’ disciples stood at the foot of the cross (or hid until after He died), they did not understand the glory He was bringing them – and us.

It’s hindsight that allows us to ‘see’ God’s work in our lives; to understand that the ‘bad’ brought us to the greater good.

Now, I have no doubt that had his brothers respected Joseph’s visions and offered him their love that God would have used another way to bring him into prominence in Egypt. However, Christ’s physical death on the cross was ordained before this world was created. If every Jewish priest, every Pharisee, every Sadducee, had accepted Him as God’s Messiah, others would have stepped forward in accomplishment of God’s plan.

He does not need us to choose Him. He does not need us to spread His word.  He does not need us to witness to others what He has done in our lives. His purpose will be accomplished no matter what we decide as individuals. If we do not, it is our loss, not His.

The Bible tells us there is a heaven and there is a hell. God does not send people to hell, though He allows us the choice of where to spend eternity. None of us have earned or deserve heaven, but it is unearned by us through His matchless grace.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus summed it up even better:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Take time to read and study that third chapter with prayer. Think about the entire conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. Be prepared to be a part of God’s plan for after the cross.