Was Jesus Killed Or Did He Willingly Give Up His Life?
In John 10:14-18 Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know Me. Just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one Shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes if from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” Jesus declared in several passages that He would be killed by His enemies (Matthew 16:22; 17:23; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22). So, which is true? Jesus laying down His life or was He killed? The answer is both. Jesus was killed because he laid down His life. It was according to the Father’s will – to lay down His life and take it up again. Generally speaking, people that are killed a...