MY WIFE AND I like to go out on “spiritual dates.” A spiritual date involves the trinity of marriage, which is to say, it involves you, your earthly spouse, and your heavenly spouse. So a “spiritual date” is a mixture of romance and revelation. For my wife and I, it plays out like any normal date would, except that our conversation is conducted as an open prayer, where we expect God to be a participant. Anything can happen when God is present. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20, KJV).

We were on one of these dates just the other night when my wife recounted a notion that has always bothered her. That notion is that “Satan’s greatest mistake was sending Christ to the cross.” The implication being that Satan thought crucifying Christ would put an end to His work of redemption. When this concept is spoken in church, it always gets a resounding “Amen!” from the people. It’s meant to speak to the failure of Satan’s rebellion and the wisdom of God that confounds the wicked. But it has always been followed by a check in my spirit, and I echoed my wife’s uneasiness about accepting this notion as Biblical.

So as we were casually discussing why we felt this way, God commented on the matter.  In an instant He brought to mind a series of verses and topics I had been studying over the last few months, and reminded me of what His word actually says about the corrupted genius of Satan.

I wont’ take the time to present those studies here, but it basically boiled down to this, “Satan isn’t that stupid.”  Even more to the point, Satan did his best to keep Christ off the cross.  Satan knew exactly what Jesus had come to do, and was vested in keeping Him from becoming an atoning sacrifice for humanity.

CORRUPTED GENIUS

God reminded me of the dual rebuke He delivered to Satan and the king of Tyre via Ezekiel.  The king of Tyre was operating according to the influences of Satan, so the Lord sent the prophet Ezekiel to rebuke the king by addressing the spirit behind him.  In that rebuke, God said this about Satan:

‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  (Ezekiel 28:12, NIV)

When heavens greatest angel sinned and became Satan, his intellect was not taken from him, rather it was corrupted with self-interest.  This means that Satan has remained creations most brilliant mind.  Please don’t misunderstand me here, recognizing Satan’s created brilliance is not a glorification of the creature, but of the Creator.

“For who makes you differ from another?  And what do you have that you did not receive?  Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV).

Having reminded me that Satan is not an ignorant being, God then pointed out that Satan knew, long before the crucifixion of Christ, that the Messiah would one day arrive to die as an atoning sacrifice.  How did Satan know this?  His knowledge came from God’s covenant promises to mankind, all of which pointed to the need for Christ’s death.

REVEALED FROM THE BEGINNING

Remember, when God confronted Adam, Eve, and Satan over their sin, a prophecy was given.  Satan was behind the Serpent’s actions in the garden of Eden, so God gave a dual rebuke to both of them.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”  (Genesis 3:15, NKJV)

When God said “He shall bruise your head,” Satan instantly knew that God was telling him that he would be defeated by a male descendant of Eve.

Satan then observed as God proceeded to demonstrate for Adam and Eve how their sin would be atoned for.  God took an animal, killed it, and clothed Adam and Eve with its skin (Genesis 3:21). This revealed that the prophesied male descendant of Eve would become an atoning sacrifice for mankind.

God’s establishment of animal sacrifice is confirmed in the first generation of mankind, with Cain and Abel, when they brought their sacrificial offerings before the Lord.

“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” (Genesis 4:3-4, NIV)

Abel brought an animal sacrifice, but Cain brought an offering “of the fruit of the ground” (Genesis 4:3, KJV).  Scripture tells us that, “the LORD respected Abel and his offering, {5} but He did not respect Cain and his offering” (Genesis 4:4-5, NKJV).  So we must ask, why were they sacrificing anything in the first place, and where did Abel get the idea that God would be pleased with an animal sacrifice?

The book of Hebrews informs us that Abel was acting by faith.  In other words, he was obeying God’s revealed will – the specifics of which He had demonstrated for their parents when He killed the first animals and clothed Adam and Eve with their skin.  This revelation about covenant sacrifice was then passed on to their children.  Cain, however, ignored the details and reasoned that any kind of sacrificial offering would suffice.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”  (Hebrews 11:4, ESV)

So Abel took the instruction of God seriously and acted by faith, but Cain was only interested in appeasing God, as would every heathen culture thereafter.  Abel’s sacrifice of faith, and Cain’s sacrifice of appeasement, were founded upon the first covenant sacrifice of Eden, at which Satan was present.

More covenant extensions followed, and with each came more and more revelation about God’s plan for redemption.  Eventually, every prophetic detail was provided in clear detail, and Satan planned accordingly.

If you study the corrupted belief systems of those nations that influenced Israel to sin, you’ll find many perverted gospel messages.  All this goes to show that Satan had a working knowledge of God’s plan of redemption prior to Christ’s first advent, and was working hard to pervert its truths in the minds of men.  So when Christ finally arrived, how did Satan oppose Him?

LONG LIVE THE KING!

Jesus made a point of keeping a low profile.  His aim was not to create a scene and get Himself killed, nor was it His intention to impress everyone so much that they would promote Him to King over Israel.  His purpose was simply to reveal the nature of the Father to Israel.  The rest would play out naturally.  This is why he often commanded the people that He healed to not make Him known before the appointed time.

“And charged them that they should not make Him known: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in His name shall the Gentiles trust.” (Matthew 12:16-21, KJV)

So when demons spoke out and identified Jesus as the Messiah early, they were silenced.

“Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”" (Mark 1:23-25, NIV)

Much was expected of the Messiah.  Jesus, however, had not come to fulfil their misconceptions of Him.  If Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah was known too early, the people would move to see their expectations realized, and if disappointed, they would move against Jesus.  Truly that day would come, but before that day, Jesus needed time to accomplish the Father’s will and demonstrate it before the people.  God’s aim was not to make the people understand, but to reveal the sin within them that kept them from understanding.  So Jesus spoke the truth of the kingdom to the people, but in parables.  If they knew God as they all claimed, then God would make the meaning of Jesus’ words understood to them.  If they were cut off from God, they would have no understanding.

“Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And He answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Matthew 13:10-15, ESV)

The identity of Christ could only be properly received by those whom The Holy Spirit had awakened spiritually.

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17, KJV)

When natural men viewed Jesus, they responded to His words and miracles contrary to the will of God. For example, when Jesus multiplied fish and bread to feed the multitude, the people responded contrary to the Spirit of God, and sought to make Jesus King.

“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.” (John 6:15, KJV)

Jesus had not come to rule over the people as a mighty prophet, or king. But that is what men desired. Men would work to protect a holy man working mighty miracles. They would not permit such a man to die.

But die Jesus must, but not as the result of murder or natural causes. Jesus must die by the will of the people in order to become a sacrifice. And while Satan surely wanted Him dead, he did not want Jesus to die as a sacrifice. For example, listen to how Jesus responded to the will of Peter and Satan when they both opposed Jesus’ sacrificial death:

“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23, KJV)

“Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” was the will of Satan expressed through Peter. Satan knew that the death and resurrection of Christ would rob him of his primary power over men – the fear of death. Therefore Satan shared the desire of men, in that he wanted to keep the Messiah off the alter of the cross at any cost.

I tell you the truth, on the day of Christ’s crucifixion, heaven was rejoicing, and Satan was the one in mourning.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:14-17, KJV)

MURDER

This is not to say that Satan didn’t want Jesus dead, but only that he didn’t want Jesus to die as an atonement for the people. For Satan “was a murderer from the beginning,” and desired nothing more than to kill Jesus (John 8:44, KJV). However, the sacrificial system pointed to the fact the Messiah needed to die as a sacrifice for sin. And Satan knew that Christ’s death would be upon a crucifix of Rome, just like the serpent that was lifted up in the wilderness foreshadowing Jesus being lifted up (Numbers 21:9). Because of this, Satan knew that Jesus could not be a victim of murder, commit suicide, or die a natural death if He were to be a sacrifice for the people. No, Jesus would need the people of Israel to select Him for a death that He would willingly submit to.

So Satan moved to cause Christ’s death apart from the will and knowledge of the people. He began early, planting his murderous fear of Christ into the hearts of useful vessels. For example, when Christ was born, Satan placed his own concern into the heart of king Herod. A star had appeared in the east, that was unlike any other star that had ever been seen. It was clearly a sign, and it disturbed the king and all of Jerusalem. So Herod sent for the wise men, the Magi, who could interpret this sign.

The Magi informed Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. So he requested that when they found the child’s exact location that they return and tell him. For Herod secretly desired to kill the newborn Christ. But upon discovering Jesus, God warned the Magi in a dream not to return to Herod. And when the king realized that the Magi had defied his request, he broadened his murderous intentions. Instead of simply identifying and killing the Messiah, he would have to kill every child two years and younger in and around Bethlehem in order to ensure that he killed Jesus (Matthew 2:3-16). Jesus, however, was moved to Egypt the same night that the Magi discovered Him, and remained safe.

Later, as an adult, the religious leaders of Israel made plans to murder Jesus. However, they intended to kill Jesus secretly, and apart from the will of the people.

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.” (Matthew 26:3-4, NASB).

Secrecy was key. To murder Jesus in private, apart from the cross, and apart from the will of the people, was mandatory. It was to this end that Satan entered Judas Iscariot.

“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.” (Luke 22:3-4, KJV)

The plan was simple. Betray Jesus into the hands of the chief priests and the elders who “plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.” Jesus would be taken before a private council, found guilty, and killed privately. Eventually, he would fade from minds of the people. But this is where things went contrary to plan.

“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67″If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” 70They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 23:1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.” (Luke 22:66-23:1, NIV)

Instead of murdering Jesus themselves, the pious leaders didn’t want to soil their own hands, so they tried to get Rome to execute Jesus for them. This is where things began to escalate into public view.

“When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. … 11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. 13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:” (Luke 23:6-14, KJV)

The publicity of Jesus transfer from Pilate to Herod and back again provoked national attention. It brought to the forefront the question of who Jesus was and why Rome should put him to death on behalf of Israel.

After much questioning and accusations, the identity of Jesus became known. Jesus claimed to be God come in the flesh. He believed Himself to be the Messiah. And while this was not a crime in Roman law, it provoked the people to anger. For the people believed that the true Messiah would have come in glory and power, and would never be subject to imprisonment by Rome. They could receive Jesus as a great prophet, but not as Messiah. The rest is history.

What should have been a private murder became a public execution. And that execution became a sacrifice when Christ submitted to the will of the people to put Him to death, as a sacrificial lamb is led to the slaughter at the will of sinners.

CONCLUSION

The importance of understanding the true nature of Satan’s “greatest mistake” is correctly understanding the nature and purpose of Christ’s death.  If Jesus was killed by men, He failed.  If Jesus was killed by Satan, He failed.  If Jesus was murdered or died of natural causes, He failed.  Only a sacrificial death has any value in God’s plan for redemption.  Death is not the focus of the cross, but sacrifice.  Satan tried desperately to distract and alter that Divine purpose, but failed.

A secondary value in understanding Satan’s greatest mistake has to do with the nature of his intellectual devices.  Our ignorance of Satan’s motivations can be used against us.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11, KJV)

The Greek word for “devices” is “noema” (no’-ay-mah), and means “the disposition and or purpose of the intellect.”

We must not be ignorant of Satan’s intellectual purposes. For Satan is the author of many perverted doctrines and manifestations of supernatural power, all of which appear to be in line with God’s truth. These intellectual perversions are as subtle as believing Satan wanted Jesus on the cross, as opposed to privately murdered. The spiritual ramifications of murder verses sacrifice illustrate the importance of understanding the purposes of both God and Satan. Far too often we ignore Satan as a defeated foe, and loose sight of his subtle devices, some of which, come into the church through the mouths of saints, who not unlike the apostle Peter, have failed to grasp the spiritual battle at hand.