If you wanted to torture someone to death in the cruelest, most horrifying way - in a way that would not only be a long, drawn out, painful death, but also a completely humiliating one - it would be by crucifixion - no one survives it. It’s a death penalty.
Yes, Jesus was tortured to death. But here is what’s of utmost importance....Jesus could have escaped the cross if He wanted to! One of the fundamental truths of Christianity is this: Jesus was crucified only because He allowed it to happen!
Although Jesus died on the cross, taking on the role of a sinner, He was totally innocent. He never sinned. He never broke the laws. He never deserved to be put to death. The truth is, His death on the cross was His intention! It was His mission, and nothing was going to stop Him. He went to the cross willingly.
"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18)
What He was saying is that no one is capable of taking His life by force. There is no power, no authority, no force that is strong enough. Instead, Jesus as the Lamb of God, gave His life - offered His life as the sacrifice for our sins. He is the only sacrificial offering that satisfies the wrath of God for our sins. Jesus made clear His ultimate intention when He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Jesus could have escaped the cross if He had wanted to, at any time, at any place. But let's just look at His arrest scene alone. There we find no less than three chances where Jesus could have avoided being captured and arrested, but He chose not to.
(A) Avoiding Arrest Option #1: (SUPERNATURAL POWER)
The first instance where Jesus could have easily avoided being captured and arrested occurred right after He identified Himself to the mob. It involved a miracle - an amazing demonstration of supernatural power.
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:3-6)
Some people say that the soldiers were simply startled and stumbled backward. No way! What happened was an invisible, supernatural shock wave that demonstrated to them how much potential power He could use against them if He wanted to. Every one of the soldiers and officials fell to the ground! I’m reminded of the following:
"...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11).
(B) Avoiding Arrest Option #2: (FIGHT)
The second instance occurred when the disciples realized what was happening. They said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” They were armed, and ready to fight and defend Jesus. Peter drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.
However, Jesus said, “No more of this!”, and touched the man’s ear and healed him. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11)
Later on, Jesus explained to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36) So you see, Jesus could have had His disciples fight to prevent Him from being arrested, but He chose not to. Instead of escaping arrest, He had His followers put their swords away.
(C) Avoiding Arrest Option #3: (ANGELS)
The third way Jesus could have easily avoided being captured and arrested is revealed right after Peter cuts off the servant’s ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:52-53)
At any instant, Jesus could have invoked the powers of Heaven to intervene for Him, immediately -- and with more than 12 legions of angels! (A legion in the Roman army was about 5,000 soldiers. Twelve legions of angels would be 60,000 angels!). One angel would be enough. But 60,000! Wow! Instead, He allows the arrest to happen. So, the question is: Why?
If Jesus could be crucified only if He allowed it to happen, why was He so compelled to carry it out? Why would Jesus willfully die on the cross for our sins? You see, because of our sins, each one of us is given an eternal death penalty. “The wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23) This means more than just physical death — this means spiritual death — Hell! If our sins earns us the eternal death penalty, why would Jesus pay the penalty for us? What was the motivation? The answer?.... LOVE!
Jesus understood this when He said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
God Himself was motivated by love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
You see, “...because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
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