Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.If Satan had known what he was doing when he crucified the Lord of glory, he would have never done it. He thought the crucifixion was his greatest victory, but it was actually his ultimate defeat.
But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God - [that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.
(1 Cor. 2:6-8)
If Satan had known what he was doing when he arranged for that beating in which Jesus received thirty-nine stripes on His back ...if he had known what he was doing when he incited the soldiers to make that crown of thorns and press it into Jesus' scalp until blood ran down His face and into His beard ...if he had known what he was doing when he pierced His hands and feet and later His side ...if he had known what he was doing when he made arrangements for the bloodshed that redeemed God's man, he would certainly never have done it.
No wonder Satan hates the blood. No wonder he is afraid of the blood. If he had known what he was doing, he would never have shed that innocent blood. But it was done "once and for all," and it can never be undone.
Satan could not have touched Jesus had the Father not allowed it. But He did allow it because He had a glorious plan, a mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
So often in our lives, Satan thinks he is doing some terrible thing to us that will finish us off, and yet God has another plan entirely. He intends to take what Satan means for our harm and work it out not only for our good, but for the good of the many to whom we will minister.
When you are tempted to give up in times of trial, always remember Romans 5:17-19: For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).Death was passed down to all men through the sin of Adam, but life has been passed down or made available to all men through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. But not without bloodshed, because the life is in the blood!
Well then, as one man's trespass [one man's false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man's act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him).
(Rom. 5:17-19)
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers