Dear Scott1, We will start with the famous statment by Paul.
"If Christ be not risen from the dead, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain."
(1 Corinthians 15:14)
I'll quote some of what i read first ...
Garner Ted Armstrong, the Executive Vice-President and Co-Publisher of the "PLAIN TRUTH"
(a Christian Magazine from America, which boasts a current, FREE, world-wide circulation of 6 million copies a month) , attempts to answer his own puzzle under the heading:
"WAS THE RESURRECTION A HOAX?" This is the typical American way of selling religion. He elucidates his poser -"HOAX?" - with the words, "THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH IS EITHER THE SUPREME FACT OF HISTORY OR A FLAGRANT. DELIBERATE FABRICATION FOISTED OFF ON THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRISTIANITY."
Another budding, young "Billy Graham" from America, Josh McDowell effuses in his book "THE RESURRECTION FACTOR", saying, "I WAS FORCED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS EITHER ONE OF THE MOST WICKED, HEARTLESS, VICIOUS, HOAXES EVER FOISTED UPON THE MINDS OF MEN, OR IT IS THE MOST FANTASTIC FACT OF HISTORY."
First of all, We have to see whether Jesus at that time wanted to be crucifeid or not.
"When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" And they said, "Nothing" Then said he unto them, "But now, he that hath no purse, let him take it, and likewise his bag; and he that hath no SWORD, let him sell his garment and buy one!"
Luke 22:35-36
". . . Lord, behold, here are two SWORDS." And he said unto them, "It is enough".
Luke 22:38
"And, behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his SWORD, and struck a servant of the high priests, and cut off his ear."
Matthew 26:51
So what do you think about these verses?
Do you think Jesus went to the cross by his own well and he wanted it to be done?