WAS THE TRIAL OF JESUS NECESSARY?
Christians have long been taught that the crucifixion of Jesus was one part of the requirements of God for the redemption of humanity. But the trial and death of Jesus on the cross occasions some perplexity on my part.
Jesus surely would have known if dying on the cross was part of his bestowal mission while on earth. Before he incarnated he was briefed extensively by his elder brother Immanuel regarding the requirements he was to fulfill for the successful completion of his bestowal on earth. [The Urantia Book, Paper 120] Immanuel did not inform Jesus that he would be required to die on the cross to pay for the sins of mankind. During his assignment on earth, Jesus certainly knew that the Jewish religious leaders were determined that he would be put to death by crucifixion. But at no time did Jesus instruct the Apostles that his death on the cross would be for the purpose of redeeming mankind.
Let us concede for a moment that it was necessary for Jesus to die on the cross. There are still questions: Why was it necessary for the members of the Sanhedrin to put him through a mock trial? When the time came for his death, why didn’t he simply present himself before the Sanhedrin and announce that he was now ready to die? At what point were members of the Sanhedrin informed by God that they were to crucify Jesus?
It seems remarkable we are taught that God would require the killing of the innocent Jesus in direct violation of his own law "Thou shall not kill."
Such questions may not concern most Christians, but they definitely bother me.
Revised December 19 2004
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