Did Jesus Have to Die?

Jesus' murder was a most heinous crime. But, did God want Jesus to die?

No. This was the ultimate sin of rebellion against God.

An example of how it could have gone:
Due to Abraham's act of faithlessness, he was told by God to sacrifice his son; but because Abraham showed his faith by making the offering of his son, Isaac was spared and rose from the sacrificial alter. Together Isaac and Abraham offered the lamb that God provided as an acceptable offering.

Prophecies of the Lord of suffering - if the people had no faith
Prophecies of the Lord of Glory - if the people had faith.

There are many prophecies in the Bible that show that it could have gone either way. However, all those prophecies ended with John. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." (Matthew 11:13 )

Even though the crucifixion was not God's hope, we received the grace of salvation through the cross; and as absolutely gloriously wonderful and precious the Resurrection is, it is plan B. "I am the way the truth and life. Follow me". He didn't ask us to nail him to the cross. Jesus told Judas that it would have been better if he had never been born. Not that Judas had fulfilled his mission well.

Jesus said "Forgive them for they know not what they do". He didn't say thank you very much, you did a good job.

Yet even God's plan B allows us to spiritually connect to God through our rebirth through Christ and the Holy Spirit, But it doesn't end there... Christ said he must return for the Marriage of the Lamb. Even though Jesus said "It Is Finished" Christ must return to finish what wasn't done in the Garden. The perfection of Adam and Eve must be accomplished physically and spiritually on Earth.