Jesus is the one attacked and hated. Jesus is the one who appears powerless. Jesus is the one who is crucified. Jesus is the one without friends in high places. But ... Notice that Jesus is the one who is not afraid. Notice that Jesus is the one who is not looking over his shoulder at his popularity ratings. Notice that Jesus is the one who speaks authoritatively while those in power can only ask questions, plot in dark alleys, and cower in fear of losing their popularity with the crowds. There is a remarkable freedom when passion for God's will floods out fear. Jesus is the one who follows the will of God. He is free to act and speak, even though his faith will lead him to the cross. In the end, it is not the mob, nor the soldiers, nor the chief priests, nor the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council), nor Herod, nor Pilate that place Jesus on the cross. They couldn't do it. They didn't have the power or the courage to do it on their own. Jesus ultimately will go to the cross to fulfill the Father's will and to save us. His fearlessness gives him the freedom to choose the cross. Everyone else in the story is afraid and out of control. Only Jesus chooses his own path. Praise God, praise Jesus, because he used his freedom to die as the sacrifice for our sins!