Now, if he was the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, able to call twelve legions of angels to his side, why did he die? Why did he allow them to crucify him? Who was really responsible for his death?

Note his own answer to the question: "How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?" (Matthew 26:54). He repeated himself: "All this has taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled" (v. 56). "Scriptures," plural; "writings," plural.

What did he mean? Listen to the plan which he and his Father created.

How would he be betrayed? "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9).

For how much? "They paid me thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12).

How would his followers react? "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" (Zechariah 13:7).

Who would accuse him? "Ruthless witnesses come forward…They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn" (Psalm 35:11-12).

How would he respond? "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).

What would happen next?

How would he suffer? "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard" (Isaiah 50:6a).

How would he die?" They will look on me, the one they have pierced" (Zechariah 12:10).

How would the crowd react? "I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting" (Isaiah 50:6b).

With whom would he die? "He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).

How would these criminals respond? "They hurl insults, shaking their heads; 'He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him'" (Psalm 22:7-8).

At his death:

He would suffer thirst: "They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst" (Psalm 69:21).

His bones would not be broken: ""I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me" (Psalm 22:17).

They would gamble for his robe: "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing" (Psalm 22:18).

He would cry to the Lord, ""My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1).

At the end he would pray, "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (Psalm 31:5).

Why did Jesus die? To fulfill the plan of his Father as "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Because this was their strategy before time began, before the first human was created, before the first sin was committed.