Predestination or Free Will?

Luke 22:21-22 (ESV) “Behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

One of the biggest debates throughout Christian history is: has God planned everything that will happen or do human beings have free will to shape their own destinies? There have been a lot of words from both sides. Denominations have spilt over the issue. Each perspective can wield many Bible verses that seem to speak in its favor. Yet, our passage today is one of those unique ones that speaks to both perspectives.

At the Last Supper, Jesus knew his time to die was imminent. He knew his crucifixion had been prophesied nearly 1,000 years earlier (See Psalm 22, especially verses 16-17). He knew that God’s plan included him being betrayed by a close friend (Psalm 41:9) who ate bread with him. Jesus reiterated the fact that God’s plan would be fulfilled. One man’s efforts cannot stop what God has planned. Yet, notice Jesus’ next words: “Woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

That statement could make Judas an unfortunate, helpless victim of an unfair God who placed on him the most wicked responsibility of all human history and then punished him for it. However, it could mean something else. The alternative is the key to understanding the mysterious “AND” and “not OR” of God’s will and man’s will. Mordechai’s words to Esther in the book with her name echo this sentiment. When her brave action was the key to saving the lives of thousands of Jews, he said to her, “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)  Esther had a choice to do or not do God’s will, yet God’s plan would be fulfilled no matter what she chose. She chose for good. Similarly, Judas had a choice. I believe he could have said no and another would have betrayed Jesus, but he did not. Yes, Jesus knew what Judas would do before he did it, but that does not mean Judas could have chosen another path.

You, too, have a choice, and you will be accountable for it. Actually, you have many free choices every day: where to go, what to eat, how to treat the people you meet, and so on. Yet, one choice matters above all others. Have you believed in Jesus and received the eternal life only he can bring?

So, which is it? Predestination or free will? In this case, at least, the answer is, “Yes.”