There is one consistent theme in the scriptures from the beginning until the end. They contain no haphazard account of the occasional or momentary intervention and correction of events by the GOD of Heaven and earth. They do not record for us a frustrated GOD who keeps trying to influence things for good in spite of a myriad of setbacks and disappointments. Rather we find HIS purpose to manifest HIS love for HIS people through blood redemption to be demonstrated on every page. It is impossible to have any right understanding of the proper use of the scriptures if one misses that theme.
One of the most glorious aspects of the redemptive work of CHRIST is the absolute certainty of HIS having accomplished the salvation of HIS people. Every event which must occur unto the carrying out of HIS purpose has indeed occurred at the exact moment and precisely as HE has determined it to take place. This is demonstrated quite clearly in something which does not seem to be vitally important (at least as men would view it with natural understanding) to the unfolding of this obtaining of redemption.
Judas made an agreement with the Jews on a sum of “blood money” for the purchase of CHRIST’s betrayal. The amount of this transaction was never in doubt, nor could it possibly have been twenty-nine pieces of silver or thirty one. The amount of this transaction was determined before Judas was ever born and prophesied in the book of Zechariah.
Some will, no doubt, say that Zechariah merely foresaw the future events as they were unfolding and knew ahead of time how much Judas would make a deal for. If that be the case what kept Judas from changing his mind? How many Judas’s had to be created to insure that there would be one who would actually carry out this transaction? If one admits that the prophets could foresee events that would take place, then it must be certain that those events would take place and so there needs to be no contingencies nor any doubts that they would happen.
The reality of the matter is that the same GOD who determined to send the LORD JESUS CHRIST into the world to redeem HIS elect Bride, ordered and predestined every event to occur in the unfolding of that redemption. HE did not wait for an opportune moment, but HE determined the opportune moment. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Gal 4:4-5)
If HE determined the time that these events would occur, it is certain that HE determined how they would occur, even to the minutest detail, such as the purchase price of CHRIST’s betrayal. If one is given eyes to see the glory of HIS purpose in redemption, then that man can also rejoice in the fact that HE has “obtained it” for those HE came to save. This is no open-ended transaction, nor one whose outcome is uncertain.
This is the very ground upon which the hope of GOD’s children rests. “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” (Heb 6:17-19)
Judas expected that this money would be to his profit but in reality it was his admission price to the anteroom of hell which he willingly (though not knowing the outcome) paid. In this he fulfilled the LORD’s purpose as one marked out before unto condemnation. (see Mat.26:24; Jude 1:4) Even the ways of the wicked fulfill the purpose of GOD. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Rom 9:16-18)
While Judas envisioned what he might do with his wealth, it had already been determined what this “blood money” would be used for. “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.” (Mat 27:9-10)
Even this purchase of a “potters field” with money which was meant to the hurt of the SON of GOD, is a picture of the redemptive provision of CHRIST for HIS own, as this “potters field” was a place of burial for the poor, awaiting the glorious day of the resurrection. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of HIS saints.” (Ps.116:15) It was a “field of blood”, thus demonstrating that it is the blood of the LORD JESUS CHRIST that is the purchase price for our redemption. “So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” It is also notable to point out that the bowels of Judas “gushed out” here. (see Acts 1:18) CHRIST’s garments are stained not only with HIS own blood but with the blood of HIS enemies over which HE has triumped openly. (see Isa.3:1-3) The LORD both ordains who HIS enemies are and conquers them by HIS own power and who can even dare question HIS doing. “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” (Isa 59:1)
The LORD will destroy the wicked as a demonstration of the great mercy which HE has had unto all who call upon HIS name. “For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west.”(Isa 43:3-5) “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Rom 8:31-34)
Blessed is that man whose GOD is the LORD. What a precious privilege it is to stand in the number of those whom the LORD has redeemed! Are these not those who having the gift of faith fall down and worship before HIM; calling upon HIS name? “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1John 3:1) Yet we have “known” HIM even as John declared, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
Though not all of those whose redemption has been purchased by CHRIST have seen HIM with natural eyes, yet by the same grace that appointed them to obtain like precious faith, they shall see HIM. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor 4:6) “for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jer 31:34)
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