outward appearances—i.e. historically—was a bloody, revolting, cruel tragedy. Here was a good man who became the pawn of power politics, who got caught between the millstones of the church and state—the Sanhedrin and the Roman Prefect—and was deliberately sent by Pilate to an innocent death. Historically, the death of Jesus is sheer tragedy. But unseen by the eyes of men, he was dying for the sins of the world. Atonement was being accomplished. God in love was giving up his Son (Jn. 3:16). However,