“他照着神的定旨和预知被交了出去… ” – 徒 2:23（新译本）
杀害基督是历史上最大的罪行。祂最亲密的追随者之一犹大为了钱背叛了祂。宗教领袖们付了那笔钱，就把耶稣交出去被杀死，因为他们嫉妒耶稣。指控祂的证人都是假的。对祂的审判是一个有目共睹的法律错误。判处祂死刑的法官彼拉多很明白耶稣是无辜的，但他不想得罪百姓。
然而，这一历史上最大的罪行并非意外，而是神计划的一部份。耶稣被交付钉十字架受死，这是神的旨意和预知。
但是，这一事实并不能免除指控者和犯罪者的责任。正如使徒彼得所说：“你们就藉着不法之徒的手，把他钉死了。”这就是耶稣基督之死至黑暗的一面。
然而还有荣耀的一面：基督的死是神对我们和整个世界表达爱的最高形式（见约 3:16）。神差遣祂的独生子来救我们，赐给我们永生。耶稣，神的儿子，放弃了祂在天上的荣耀，成为与我们一样的人。祂甘心情愿地被钉十字架，舍命为我们的罪作了挽回祭。
祷告
主啊，历史在你话语的命令下展开。基督之死是出于你爱的永恒不变的计划。我们感谢你，赞美你的名！奉耶稣的名，阿们。
使徒行传 2:22-24
22以色列人哪，请听我的话：神藉着拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间施行异能、奇事、神迹，将他证明出来，这是你们自己知道的。
23他既按着神的定旨、先见被交于人，你们就藉着无法之人的手，把他钉在十字架上杀了。
24神却将死的痛苦解释了，叫他复活，因为他原不能被死拘禁。
Greatest Crime, Or Act Of Love?
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge. . . .” – Acts 2:23
Christ’s death was the greatest crime in history. One of his closest followers, Judas, betrayed him for money. The religious leaders paid that money and handed Jesus over to be killed because they envied him. The witnesses who accused him were false. His trial was a blatant legal error. The judge, Pilate, who sentenced him to death was convinced of his innocence but did not want to displease the people.
This greatest crime in history, however, was not an accident, but part of a plan. Jesus was delivered over to death by the determined design and foreknowledge of God.
This fact does not excuse the accusers and perpetrators from responsibility, however. As the apostle Peter put it, “You, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” This was the dark side of the death of Jesus Christ.
There is another, glorious side as well: Christ’s death was the greatest expression of God’s love—for us and for the whole world (see John 3:16). God sent his one and only Son to save us and give us eternal life. Jesus, the Son of God, gave up his heavenly glory and became human, just like us. And he went willingly to the cross, laying down his life as the sacrifice for our sin.
Prayer
Lord God, history unfolds at the command of your Word. And Christ’s death was the execution of your eternal plan of love. We thank you and praise your name! In Jesus, Amen.