JOHN 11:51–52
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation
(John 11:51).
One of the most perplexing doctrines in the Bible is the “doctrine of concurrence.” Concurrence is defined as the cooperation of divine power with all secondary or subordinate powers. Two things are implied in this doctrine: a) The powers of nature (including man) do not function by their own inherent power, but God operates in every act of the creature. Some people believe that God creates life but then is totally uninvolved in its progress. But Scripture is clear that God is active in the events of this world. b) Secondary powers are real and not merely automatons in the hand of God. This, of course, is contrary to pantheistic notions which maintain that God is the only agent working in the world.
This doctrine teaches that while man acts without compulsion, God brings about His will through their actions. An example of divine concurrence is when Joseph is sold into slavery. His brothers acted on their own initiative. God did not force them to sell their brother. They thought up the scheme, and they were accountable for their sin. However, God was at work for the good. He was totally in control and active in bringing about the purposes of His will, but He was not causing anyone to sin (Gen. 50:20).
In the passage before us, we also find this kind of divine concurrence. Caiaphas uttered a prophecy that was meant to condemn Jesus. He said that Jesus would die for the nation and in doing so would gather in all the children of God from abroad. We can be sure that Caiaphas did not mean the Gentiles would be ingrafted into the nation of Israel. But he did mean that Israel, and all those of national Israel, would be united and strengthened if Jesus were to die. He meant this in a political sense, but God (through Caiaphas) was actually proclaiming His plan of redemption. Jesus would die for His holy nation, the spiritual Israel, and through His death His “children” would be saved.
What Caiaphas said was evil, just as the actions of Joseph’s brothers were evil. But what these men meant for evil, God meant for good. They acted freely and according to their own sinful nature, but God acted sovereignly, bringing about His purposes through the sinful deeds of fallen men.
CORAM DEO
Psalm 22–24
Acts 20:1–16
Read Acts 4:27–28. Explain how divine concurrence was operative in the death of Christ. Was it God’s will that Christ should die? Was it evil for the Jews to conspire to kill Jesus and for the Romans to put Him to death? Why can you never use “God’s will” as an excuse for your sin?
For further study: Gen. 45:5 • Prov. 21:1 • Isa. 10:5–11 • Phil. 2:2–13
friday
july