Don’t you enjoy life’s little ironies and surprises? I have been thinking of a few.

1. One of the sights I have scheduled for my next trip to Israel is the Herodium on the edge of Bethlehem. This was Herod the Great’s posh hide-out. You cannot miss seeing the volcano shaped fortress that dominates the landscape. Herod’s role never appears on the front of a Christmas card. The paranoid King slew all the baby boys under two in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-18).

Josephus, the Jewish historian, records Herod’s painful death and burial in the Herodium. Here is the irony—Herod tried to kill Jesus and failed in the sovereignty of God. Instead, Herod died and was buried in the Herodium that overlooks the city that celebrates the birth of the true King of the Jews (Micah 5:2).

2. Caiaphas was the murderous High priest when Jesus was crucified. This wicked religious leader prophesized in John 11:50-52, “’You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not say this on his own; as high priest at the time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.”

Ironically, Caiaphas unwittingly declared the Gospel. Also, it is ironic Jesus did die but he rose from the dead. Caiaphas died and his bones sit in a bone box with the name Caiaphas on the side in the Israel Museum that I visited a short time ago.

3. Jesus lost the only political election he ever ran in. It was a runoff. Barabbas won. Jesus lost. The cries were, “Crucify him. Crucify him.” Because Jesus lost, we won. He became poor, so that we might become rich. Rich spiritually in Christ. Bad Friday turned into Good Friday.

4. Governor Pontius Pilate asked Jesus what is “truth”. Here Pilate was staring at “Truth” face to face without knowing it. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”… (John 14:6)

5. The shadow of the Caesars hovers over the pages of the Gospels.

If you would have asked people out on the streets of the Roman empire, “who will be the greats of the day remembered in history for 2000 years and more?” What would have been the response? Caesar! Nero! If you would have asked anyone if the followers of Jesus would be remembered down through the ages of time, people would laughed and indignantly replied, “Never. Losers. They will be dead soon and forgotten.”

Yet it is the irony that two thousand years have come and gone. We name our children Mary, John, Peter and Thomas. We name our dogs- Nero and Caesar.

God used Caesar’s census to get a family to Bethlehem and another’s murderous edict to get them out of Bethlehem. Powerful ruler’s decrees play into God’s sovereignty. God can use godless decisions in our lives. God’s will is never thwarted.

This Passion Week, let us commemorate God’s greatest gift with wonder, amazement, and joy.

Dr. Michael Sprague serves as Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. He ministers in a non-partisan pastoral role at the Baton Rouge Capitol, offering Bible studies, prayer, and spiritual care to leaders. A former senior pastor, he holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Capital Bible Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He helped launch Touch Global Crisis Response after Hurricane Katrina and authored two books. Michael does life in Mandeville, LA with his wife Donna. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God,”reflecting his passion to help others know Jesus. You can find more information about Michael here.  

Books by Dr. Michael Sprague

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