Offering God “Advice”

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” …. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”

Luke 23:35-39 NASB 1995  (Also see Luke 24)

Recently, a friend and I were discussing how God could easily craft the perfect ending to a particular tragedy engulfing a close family friend. If God would just do “A” and then, “B”, and maybe a little bit of “C,” I’m sure that “D” will be the outcome. Mentally rubbing our hands together in a job-accomplished finish, “See, God. All figured out. Let me know if You need any more suggestions.”

I can hear the laughter from here! However, I bet it’s a familiar mental conversation to some of you. Or maybe you’re too spiritual to have ever secretly thought God could use some advice. But many of us have secretly thought we knew more than God. Let’s admit it and then unpack the truth of the matter. Because the truth is that God declares the end from the beginning, He knows what He’s doing and He can be trusted – even when it looks like a hot, tragic mess. Just hold on.

While Scripture offers many examples of this, let’s take in the scene described in today’s Scripture. Jesus Christ, the Man who declared Himself to be the Son of God, the Man who raised the dead, healed lepers, fed thousands with sardines and crackers and gave sight to a blind man … His bloody and beaten-beyond- human-recognition body is hanging on a cross, nailed there by mere humans (Isaiah 53). Mingled with that sight, we hear words of mocking accusation, “If He really is the Son of God, let Him save Himself, then we’ll believe. He saved others. Let Him save Himself.” At this point, if this were an action movie, the star would rip his muscular arms free from the iron nails and leap from the splintery wooden cross as he lunges forward and drop kicks the sneering guards. But this is no Hollywood movie. And Jesus Christ is no mere man. He is God in the flesh. And He always has the long (eternal) view in mind.

He allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves and longs for. He did not save Himself, so that He could save us. Eternally.

He often allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves and longs for. He did not save Himself, so that He could save us. Eternally.

So too, in our own lives, He may allow what He hates to accomplish what He loves and longs for. A new level of no-matter-what-happens kind of trust, or the salvation of a family member or possibly a living example of what it looks like to walk through tragedy, even as God holds our trembling hand.

Just as in the scene at the cross, there is a lost, and watching world all around us. The onlookers are wondering, is our trust only as deep and wide as a full bank account or good health or sunny days? Will we trust, even when God does not take our advice, that He is still good and He is still faithful and that He has a plan? This truth is something that always needs refresher courses.

Whatever the challenge today, let’s remember the cross. He’s got this.

Father, I know it’s both hilarious and idiotic to think we know more than You. That somehow, I understand and see, what You do not. Forgive me Lord. Help me stand on the truth that You sit as King over all that floods my life and are at work in all I bring to You. Great is Your faithfulness to me, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus.

“Save” in Greek σῶσον (sōson) To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

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