The death of Jesus was not an accidental part of God’s plan – and it wasn’t simply the result of human activity (Judas, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers). Jesus was aware of what was happening. Other gospels record that he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When questioned by Pilate, Jesus would tell him “the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.” The early church emphasized the plan of God as well: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23) and “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Passage: John 18:1-40