The Worst Evil is Meant for Good - 3

In John Piper's book, The Passion of Jesus Christ, he provides 50 reasons why Christ had to suffer and die. In the last chapter, he argues that He had to die to show that the worst evil is meant by God for good. We're continuing with that chapter today:

But the most astonishing thing is that evil and suffering were Christ's appointed way of victory over evil and suffering. Every act of treachery and brutality against Jesus was sinful and evil. But God was in it. The Bible says, "Jesus [was] delivered up [to death] according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). The lash on his back, the thorns on his head, the spit on his cheek, the bruises on his face, the nails in his hand, the spear in his side, the scorn of rulers, the betrayal of his friend, the desertion of his disciples - these were the result of sin, and all designed by God to destroy the power of sin. "Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [did] whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place" (Acts 4:27-28).

This is profound and mysterious, but it must be true.