The Irony In Evil

As I was reading over the account of Jesus' crucifixion, it occurred to me as I saw the word "priests"... a great irony I'd never considered before.

"Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the [open] court of the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, And consulted together in order to arrest Jesus by stratagem secretly and put Him to death." Matthew 26:3-4

It was the responsibility of these "men of God", to take the offerings of man, inspect them as worthy, and then render them before God as a sacrifice. Isn't it ironic that God would use these despicable men to actually insure His Own sacrifice, Jesus... for, even themselves, if possible.

I thought of the irony I have seen in my own life... A time, once when I lost my home I'd bought for my children and I after a terrible divorce, because two separate agencies were taking child support from my hard earned wages at the same time. Even though the children were living with me, the court ruling had not been changed, so I had to pay the double payments while losing the home. Before I could prove their error, my son went to live with his mother. I had to help my daughter get on welfare and into an apartment here, while I moved into a trailer on my bosses property.

But God had already set a great plan into motion. One that was greater than I could see... one which would reveal the irony in evil... one that would use the evils in this world to bring glory, honor, and majesty to Himself.

When I finally got the child support agency to see their error, they could not take the money back for me. Their stand was that they would provide a lawyer with evidence that it was wrong and I could get it back through the courts. I could not afford to drive back to Oklahoma and hire a lawyer, and so I forgave what had been done and I trusted God with all that had happened.

Months went by and my son turned 18. His mother went back to the agency to get his child support extended. Because of the overpayment she had received, she was denied the extension and she sent my son back to me. He lives here today near his sister and I. Both of my children are married now and have children themselves, and I see them every day and am still a great influence in their lives. God is never idol while evil is at work, dear friends. He is busy in the lives of His children!

A greater irony is hidden in the crucifixion of Christ Jesus as well. While these men thought they had killed this, "king of the Jews"... listen to what Jesus says...

"For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered to Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (instead of) many." Mark 10:45

Do you see the irony... While they thought they were taking the life of Jesus... He was giving it away! As a Ransom for many!

Friends... What will evil take from you today? Our pride... we crush our pride daily, in Christ. Will it take our freedom... we are already slaves, to Christ. Will it take even, our life... or have we already given our lives away, in Christ. Oh, the irony in evil. Amen?

I love you.
Preston