Good Friday: When God’s Plan Prevails
Many years ago, there was a popular television show, The A-Team, that followed the exploits of a group of former soldiers. They joined together to make it their personal mission to help the down and out and routinely found themselves in danger. The character who served as the lead of this rag-tag group would make a statement during each episode, just after the extended action scene, “I love it when a plan comes together.” This was a celebratory moment, reflecting on the good they had accomplished and the personal harm they had avoided.
When I hear these words, I understand the sentiment. Personally, I love a good plan, a well- organized list, and intentional action. Maybe I’m cut out for the A-Team?
The Religious Elite’s Plan and Its Ultimate Failure
Good Friday begins with a similar sense of camaraderie, forged around a shared mission. Scripture sets the scene for us in Mark 15:1: “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.” The religious elite gathered with the goal of eliminating Jesus and ending his life with the help of the Roman authorities.
Now, this is not the kind of plan I would want to be part of, but it certainly had momentum.
This group wanted to end Jesus’ interference, to end his influence and to take back the hearts of the people. Their plan was pretty simple- present a united front to Pilate asking for Jesus to be tried, stir up the people and get the crowd to ask for Jesus’ crucifixion. In their minds, this was the best way to dispose of Jesus and to disrupt the movement that he had initiated in the community. They wanted to not only end him, but to end the new way of approaching God that Jesus had introduced.
It seemed like the plan worked. Jesus was arrested and tried and crucified. He was buried and appeared to be gone- never to be heard from again and certainly never to cause such trouble again for the religious community.
God’s Plan Always Prevails
But, as the saying goes, “The best-laid plans...” or, as the Bible puts it in Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
As Christians, we know that Good Friday is not the end of God’s plan for humanity, and it certainly wasn’t the end of Jesus. Good Friday serves as a powerful reminder that God’s plans prevail—and Jesus prevails with them.
God’s plans are far better than mine and Good Friday is just one example of this truth. When things are difficult and circumstances don’t seem to be in my favor, I can look to Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and be encouraged that He has a plan. In fact, He has the best plan.
God chose to send His son Jesus to die for us, to redeem us from our sin and to make a way for us to reconcile to Him. His plan was not short-sighted or temporary. He played the ultimate long game, saving humanity through the gift of His son.
Trusting God’s Plan Today
As we enter the final days of Holy Week, let’s reflect on whether we are truly trusting God’s plan for our lives. Or, like the religious elite, are we making our own plans, promoting our own interests, and assuming our way has succeeded because failure hasn’t yet appeared?
Trusting God’s plan is something we can grow in each day and over time. Practically speaking, here are some ways we can begin to develop in this area.
Pray, surrendering our plans to God’s will.
Read God’s Word, focusing on His sovereignty and promises.
Journal our prayers, thoughts and God’s direction to us.
Seek Godly counsel from trusted leaders, mentors and other believers.
Act in obedience as we sense God’s direction.
As we trust in His perfect plan, let’s surrender our own agenda and choose to follow His lead, knowing that He is always working for our good, even when the path isn’t clear. This Holy Week, may we embrace God’s plan with open hearts and unwavering trust, remembering that Jesus’ victory over death is the ultimate reminder that His plan always prevails.
About the Author:
Christi Goodrich
Executive Director- Trinity Chapel
TC Attender Since July 2005
