The Cross is Where it All Went Right

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

Joseph was the most beloved son of his father. He received a lavish offering in the gift of a beautiful robe from his dad and he had had some amazing dreams that he actually understood. On top of that, he was a pretty good looking young man. Then all of a sudden he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers who were arguing over whether or not to kill him. Where did things go wrong?

One day he was living the good life, and the next he was being shipped off to a life where he would spend years away from his family, be accused of adultery, and rewarded with prison time. Yet because of him many people were kept alive. It was the God of his word and the God of detail that meticulously wove the lives of so many together for the salvation of his people. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” It was the God of love that Joseph served. This was where things went right.

Jesus was the most beloved Son of his Father. He rode into Jerusalem and was greeted with cries of, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The people spread out their garments and cut palm branches. They lined the streets for just a glimpse of the Son of God. They begged for his attention, his healing, and his forgiveness. Then they gave him over willingly to be spat on, mocked, and beaten. Where did it all go wrong?

One day we are singing, “All glory, laud, and honor to You, Redeemer, King. To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.” And the next we are letting a murderer go free and nailing an innocent man to a cross. Yet, only because of Jesus are any of us kept alive. It is the God of his word and the God of unimaginable grace that can use our own wickedness to fulfill his promise for our ultimate good. It is the God of love that we serve. The cross is where it all went right.

Heavenly Father

You used our own sin to spare us the punishment for sin. What a great God you are! This week as we hear again exactly what the cost of our sin was, we praise you for sending your Son in our place. We say today and every day, “Hosanna, save us Lord.” Thank you for doing exactly that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.