"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that He may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall, they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves, and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."
Why Jesus submitted to His enemies.
It was, then, in fulfillment of the divine plan that Jesus allowed Himself to be taken prisoner in the garden of Gethsemane; that He endured trial before His enemies; and that He suffered untold agony on the cross. With His death, the world itself became canvulsed. The heavens became shrouded in darkness; and the earth was torn, and shaken and distressed. But at that awful moment, the bands of death were broken; the original sin was expiated; and the way was opened whereby man might return to his Maker.
The new testimony of Jesus.
"Behold," said Jesus to our own Prophet, "I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent, but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit: and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."
Truly, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
THE REFERENCES
Mark 2:20. 1 Cor. 15:19-23.
Luke 12:49-53. John 1:29.
Mark 8:31-35. Rev. 13:8.