Prior to the Crucifixion, Jesus prayed "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matt.)
How could it be God's will that Jesus be crucified? The explanation that he died for our sins does not make any sense, and really denies the Resurrection, for Jesus the Christ overcame hatred and death and therefore was not sacrificed at all!
Paul gives us a lead with "they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Gal.) The Way shown by Jesus is plainly the way out of the flesh into Spirit, everlasting life - step by step, and ultimately entirely out of the flesh. The following is an inspiring elucidation that it was far more than the physical body that was crucified:
"The burden of that hour was terrible beyond human
conception. The distrust of mortal minds, disbelieving
the purpose of his mission, was a million
times sharper than the thorns which pierced
his flesh. The real cross, which Jesus bore up the hill
of grief, was the world's hatred of Truth and Love. Not
the spear nor the material cross wrung from his faithful
lips the plaintive cry, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" It
was the possible loss of something more important than
human life which moved him, — the possible misappre-
hension of the sublimest influence of his career. This
dread added the drop of gall to his cup." (S&H)
"His [Jesus'] words were articulated in the language of a de-
clining race, and committed to the providence of God.
In no one thing seemed he less human and more divine
than in his unfaltering faith in the immortality of Truth.
Referring to this, he said, 'Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my words shall not pass away!' and
they have not: they still live; and are the basis of divine
liberty, the medium of Mind, the hope of the race.
Only three years a personal Saviour! yet the founda-
tions he laid are as eternal as Truth, the chief corner-
stone." (Misc. Wr. - emphasis added)
" 'He uttered His voice, the earth melted.' This Scripture indicates that all matter will disappear before the supremacy of Spirit." (S&H)