Foolish
Plan
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© 2001
This story begins over 2,000 years ago in heaven as two angels discuss the plans of God.
“Hey Clarence, did you hear what God plans to do?”
“No Harry, I’ve been busy doing His work.”
“You won't believe it. I know He's supposed to be allknowing, but this plan He has for saving mankind is one of the most foolish plans I’ve ever heard of.”
“Keep it down, He’ll hear you.”
“I don’t care. This plan is ridiculous!”
“What is it?”
“Well He’s going to have Jesus take on human form.”
“So what’s wrong with that?”
“He’s going to be born as a helpless baby. This baby will be the child of a simple carpenter and his wife.”
“Well I’m sure He knows what He's doing. Surely He has great plans for Jesus as this baby.”
“Sure, sure, He’s going to be born in a cold musty barn with cows, donkeys and all sorts of dirty smelly animals. The kid’s going to catch pneumonia and die an early death.”
“Jesus can’t die.”
“I know, but He will die as this baby and then come back to heaven and the plan will have failed.”
“I don't think God's ever failed in one of His plans.”
“But can’t you see even if He doesn’t die of some childhood disease, how is He going to amount to anything with these kind of parents? They have no riches, no status, no significant property or influence. Jesus will wander on the earth building benches and tables. He won’t be about the business of saving men and women from their sin.”
“I’m sure God has something more in store for Jesus to accomplish than building things out of wood.”
“I really don’t get it. God has lost it.”
“Shush, He’ll hear you.”
“I don’t care. This is really stupid to think this plan will actually work. I mean whom is Jesus supposed to get to follow Him even if He does have a plan. I mean those people down there are unreliable, irresponsible, faithless, selfish beings.”
“God loves them you know.”
“I know, I know. That's another thing I’ve never understood. Why does He even care? They always seem to let Him down.”
“Not always. When they listen to Him and decide to let Him lead them they have done great and marvelous things.”
“Yeah, but it’s so rare when they do. You mark my words, this foolish plan will fail and then we'll all be embarrassed. God will have to come up with some other plan to save mankind from their sins.”
“I think you need to trust God more. You're starting to sound human.”
“I resent that comment. You just don't like me being right.”
Thirty plus years go by and we find Harry and Clarence discussing God's plan again.
Both are very sad and weeping tears of pain.
“Clarence, I can’t believe how bad it hurts.”
“I know, it pains the soul to see Jesus suffer so much pain.”
“I was wrong Clarence. God’s plan is going to work, but why does Jesus our Lord have to suffer so.”
“It’s part of God's plan. Jesus has to take on the punishment for all the sins of mankind to provide a way for people to be saved.”
“But I remember when He was born. He was such a beautiful baby lying in that manger. He was such a nice obedient child. He shouldn't have to suffer. He’s done nothing wrong.”
“That’s part of God’s plan. Jesus the innocent one, born of a virgin, without sin, must suffer the penalty for sin in order for mankind to be saved.”
“But these worthless people don’t deserve Him.”
“That’s true, but God loves them greatly. He loves them enough to allow Jesus to die for them. I don't know if I understand why God loves them so much, but possibly we need to learn to learn to love like God does, like Jesus does.”
“How can we love that way?”
“Possibly the quality of love depends more on the heart of the one loving, not the qualifications of those they love?”
“But it’s such a sad end to God’s plan.”
“I don’t think this is the end of God’s plan for mankind. I think God always knows what’s best and in the end brings about marvelous works of glory.”
“I sure hope you’re right Clarence.”
“I have faith in my Heavenly Father.”