sovereignty over sin and evil

There is an aspect of the crucifixion we tend to overlook: God's sovereignty over the sin of man. While this may seem more confusing than comforting, God's sovereignty over our sin is a great comfort as we labor through this life. It is also a reason to worship Him, especially given where we find ourselves in the Christian calendar.

God doesn't sin. It is against His holy nature. But He is more than able to use the sins of man to accomplish His divine purposes. The cross is one of many examples, and the best one at that. Here we see God using the wickedness of man to murder His Son in order to bring salvation.

Is this really that big of a deal? As John Piper states, "If he cannot (govern sinful acts to serve His purposes), then there is no Christian gospel...There could be no crucifixion if there were no crucifiers" (A Sweet and Bitter Providence, pp. 115 & 117). Piper even goes on to state how God using our sin to serve His eternal purposes is a sign of His great mercy. God had every right to wipe out all of mankind for murdering Christ, but He chose to grant salvation through the very One they killed.

Practically we can find encouragement in God's sovereignty over the evil done by and against us. It has opened the door of salvation to all who place their faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. And if God can take the most horrific evil done in the history of man (the murder of God) and turn it into the greatest blessing imaginable, what can He do with the evils facing us?

"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10