destiny

John 11
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die, so that He could raise him from the dead, so that He would receive glory and many would believe. Consequently, the Jewish religious leaders decided that Jesus must die. This seems really crazy to me because if I saw Someone raise another person from the dead, I would be awestruck. Instead, these wicked people hated him (fulfilling Isaiah 53). Furthermore, God spoke prophecy through their own wicked mouths (verses 49-52). But were they just robots doing what God wanted them to do so that Jesus would die for the sin of mankind (the story of Judas comes to mind as well)? If so, then how could God be angry with them? Or was there a choice? Is God so incredibly sovereign that He can control destiny simultaneously allowing our free-will choice?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing our sorrows and paying the penalty of death for our sin. Thank you for restoring our estranged relationship with the Father. Please help me live in gratitude to your Grace and Mercy. Amen.