A.

FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

To begin with, it was the fulfillment of prophecy.  In Isaiah 53:12 we find "He was numbered
with the transgressors:""And with him they crucify two theive; the one on his right hand and
the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, wich saith, and he was numbered with the
transgressors. Mark 15:27,28

Remember that at calvary not only was the hand of man at wrok but also the hand of God.

Man was fulfilling the plan of God, doing it freely, responsibly, but fulfilling O.T. prophecy.

The Lord Jesus was numbered with the transgressors.  He was born for the
transgressors:"Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins
(Matt. 1:21) He LIVED for the transgressors; "Even as the son of man came not to be misitered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many 20:28  He died WITH THEM, and
He died for them. So that amazing situation began with the fulfillment of prophecy.

B. GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVIDENCE

But there is something else about that amazing situation.  Our Lord Jesus was between the
theives because God was working out His gracious providence.  The word "providence"
means "foreknowl edge" or "seeing beforehand."  God does see beforehand.  There were no
accidents in the life of the Lord Jesus- only appointments.  It was not accidental that the Lord
Jesus was between these two theives.  This was the working of the gracio