Ash Wednesday February 14, 2024
“You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” Luke 22:1-13
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
This sermon was written using the outline and many of the words of Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, Concordia Seminary Press.
Do you recall the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis? Here’s a quick summary. Joseph was the favorite son (out of twelve) of his father, Jacob. His older brothers resented him. Their hatred toward him grew and they sold him as a slave to traders going down to Egypt. He had been given a coat of great color, very expensive I imagine, by his father. His brothers revolted against him and took that coat and poured animal blood on it and told their father, Jacob, that Joseph must have been devoured by some wild animals.
In Egypt Joseph’s life was up and down. Some good, some bad. But with God’s providence on him he rose in power and position in Egypt and God used Joseph’s wisdom and planning to save many people from starving to death during a prolonged famine. He even saved his father and brothers and their families from such misery – even though they had done such evil things to him.
Then Jacob, the father dies. His brothers are afraid that now, with Jacob dead, their brother will seek revenge on them. But he doesn’t. He tells them, “You meant evil against me. But God meant it for good.”
Don’t misunderstand Joseph’s words. His brothers meant evil against him – and it was evil. They meant evil. They did evil. God didn’t change that part at all. But God used the evil for a larger purpose even when no one knew what God was up to. Everyone was clueless as to what God was going to do – but God was not clueless. God never is.
That’s what we are going to see during Lent and on this day – Ash Wednesday. Using Luke’s words about the last days in the life of Jesus on earth we see evil but are always reminded about God’s greater plan.
Luke begins by telling us about Passover. At the Passover meal Jews are reminded of the evil that had come upon them in Egypt. They were slaves and much evil had come upon them for many years. Pharaoh and Egypt had resisted God’s plan for the freedom for the Jews. Even after a number of plagues Pharoah resisted God. After God setting them free, Pharoah chased the Jews and was going to destroy them in the desert.
Every year the Jews would remember the oppression. And they would celebrate what God did. They meant it for evil. But God meant it for good.
But it wasn’t just a nation that saw this. This evil would come to Jesus. Through Satan. Through Judas. “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”
We take for granted that this is what was going to occur. But think about it. This was a terribly evil thing. Judas had to have hated Jesus deeply. He was one of the Twelve. Hand selected. He was with Jesus when He did wonder after wonder, when He taught and loved, when He stood against every form of hypocrisy and pretension. And yet he is handing Him over for crucifixion.
Evil is coming. From Satan. Through Judas.
And Jesus knew it. In the reading from Luke, in verses 7-13 the word “prepare” or “preparations” is used 5 times. Jesus is ready. Not just for the meal. Not just for the Passover. He was ready to face the evil one.
He would say to those coming to arrest him, “This is your hour, when darkness reigns.” But He would have His hour. On the cross Jesus would say, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” It was the plan of God to bring His powerful salvation into the lives of the world.
“You meant it for evil – God meant it for good.”
How about in your life? How about in the life of this world? Do you see the power of evil? Do you sense how dark it can be? So, what do you think – was God caught off guard? I guess He wasn’t ready to face it.
No, God is never caught unaware. He is never caught off guard. Not in the life of Joseph. Not through the actions of Judas. The Passover meal was prepared that night to show us that a greater Passover Lamb needed to be sacrificed. He would raise the bread and say – “This is my body – given for you.” The chalice would be lifted and He would assert, “This is my blood – shed for you.”
Then and now evil was planned. Evil was done. But God isn’t silent. All during Lent you are going to see how God was present, how Jesus was in control – sharing His strong redeeming hand. You’ve seen today and you’ll see each week the truth – “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good, to bring about the saving of many lives.”
Amen!!
