Failed Plots and Plans

Scripture: They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you." Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." John 18:30-31

Observation: The Jewish leaders have spent years trying to figure out how to kill Jesus. On multiple locations, the gospels tell us that in anger they plotted his death, then set traps with their questions to trick him into violating the law and receiving a death sentence. Yet when they finally seize him ... they have no end-game plan at all. They simply give him to Pilot, with no valid charge, and Pilot dismisses them. After deliberating, Pilot will even find Jesus innocent.

After years of plotting and planning, the attempt to kill Jesus is a total failure. Yes, he will this day be put to death, but Jesus will die not due to any plot. He will die as a replacement for another man's death. And at no time did any individual usurp to a position of authority over Jesus. Pilot even listened to Jesus talk about his kingship and then declared him innocent. The Jews openly declared they lacked authority to put Jesus to death. All along, the Lord was the only person controlling the situation.

Application: We are in a pandemic, with many problems and issues, and in this there are "leaders" who have their plots and plans for getting society through it. They are all failing to some extent, and certainly in my own frustration I have opinions about which are worse. However, the fact is ... they are all just earthly plans, but the Lord is the only one in control.

My faith waivers sometimes, and I would love to find - or even just hear - a plan I thought would help us all in health and finance. I need to stop seeking that plan, and instead just know God has the plan, and it's already under his control. There is no way it will look like what I expect, or even what I hope, but it will be the best for his kingdom, and therefore for the world.

Prayer: Lord, may my faith be only in you, this day and every day. I seek your will, and absolutely not by my own understanding. I know that my spirit will be restored and comforted when I fully surrender to your plan and trust in your ways, and so I do that now. Amen.