The Plan

Before there was "Frito/Lays", the Frito company was making corn chips called, appropriately, "Fritos". In the late 60's/early 70's they had a cartoon mascot, the Frito Bandito. He was a "bad guy" whose only desire was to get some Fritos. So, with his trusty sidekick, he'd go through a commercial trying to steal Fritos, always without success. In one of these he and his helper end up in a heap outside the factory, beaten and bruised. The Frito Bandito says, "This didn't go like I planned it." His side kick says, "You planned this?"

In his letter to Titus, Paul starts out speaking of "eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began." (Titus 1:2) Isn't that odd? If it was "before ages began", to whom did He promise it? Well, obviously to the Godhead. I imagine something like this. "Hey, Son, I have an idea. Let's make a Bride for you." "Sounds good!" "Now, of course, when we do it they'll turn on us and sin." "What then?" "Well, Someone will have to take their just punishment." "Me?" "Yep!" "Sounds good. Let's do it!" (That was imagination, not suggestion of anything actual.) The point is that God planned eternal life before ages began. And if you look at it, you might just ask, "You planned this?"

Did He? Scripture says that "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8) That, dear readers, is premeditation. Before we earned, deserved, improved, accomplished anything "Christ died for us." We know that "He gave His only Son." (John 3:16) Not an accidental event. Not a mistake. Not a fortuitous event. There is premeditation and intent here.

It gets worse. Peter said that Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." (Acts 2:23) It wasn't even Plan B. "Foreknowledge" means He chose this route in advance.

It gets worse. We learn later that "Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel", in executing the sinless Son of God, did "whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place." (Acts 4:27-28)

God planned it before the ages began. He did it without regard to our merit. He gave His Son. He did it by definite plan and foreknowledge. It was accomplished in every detail by His hand and plan. "You planned this?" Yes ... yes He did. And executed it perfectly to the last detail. He accomplished all that was necessary to create a Bride for His Son, to be both Just and Justifyer, to save those He wished to save, to bring ultimate glory to Himself. Good plan!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom 11:33-36)