Dr Albert Schweitzer was well known in the early part of last century for his philanthropic work among the native peoples in the jungles of Africa. He also had a worldwide reputation as a theologian, especially for his work on the "Quest for the Historical Jesus". Like many German theologians of his time he doubted the truth of the Gospel accounts of Jesus and sought to uncover the "real" Jesus underneath what he believed were layers of Church tradition.

One of the more radical conclusions he arrived at was that the "real" Jesus did not expect to die. He believed that Jesus' death was an ‘accident’, in that Jesus miscalculated the strength of the opposition and the weakness of his own support.

Despite his great learning, Dr Schweitzers’ conclusion is clearly wrong and flies in the face of the very solid evidence we have. Fortunately for us, Jesus knew exactly what was happening, the depth of the sacrifice he was making, and the benefits to us.

Dr Luke, in writing his Gospel, shows evidence of being a very careful historian. His record shows that Jesus was very aware of the future that faced him. Over a year before his death, Jesu;s warned his disciples that it was going to happen. This warning was repeated no less than four times in the following months, but his disciples did not understand what he was saying. Finally, at the Passover meal on the night before his arrest, trial and death, Jesus again spoke of his coming suffering (Luke 22).

Jesus made such comments as: "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer", (v.15) and "The hand of him who is to betray me is with mine on the table" (v.21). Again, he said to Peter "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today you will deny three times that you know me" (v.34). Jesus was not surprised by the be betrayal of Judas or the desertion of Peter. He knew very clearly what was going to happen.

Secondly, Dr Luke shows Jesus’ awareness that what was about to happen was a fulfillment of prophecies of Scripture written hundreds of years beforehand. Jesus said to his disciples "It is written – ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; ‘and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." (v. 37)

The passage Jesus quoted came from the 53rd chapter of Isaiah which is all about God's Suffering Servant who took up the infirmities of God’s people and carried their sorrows. "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5, 6). This passage has been central in shaping our understanding of Jesus’ death as being a substitute for us; that he took upon himself the punishment that was ours. The final confirmation is the detail about being "numbered with the transgressors" as Jesus was crucified between two thieves.

Far from being an accident, Jesus was intentional r fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture. This is seen also in Jesus’ words over the bread and the cup, which have become the basis of Holy Communion. As Jesus broke the bread he said: "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me". Again, with the cup he said: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you".(Luke 22:19, 20). The reference to a "New Covenant" was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah (31:31). The sealing of the covenant with blood referred back to the first Covenant with Moses (Exodus 24:8).

The third thing that Dr Luke shows about Jesus’ death was his sense of Divine Destiny. In v.22 Jesus said: "The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed". Earlier, Jesus had spoken of how "the Son of Man must suffer things." (9:22). .Even at his birth,. as Dr Luke records, the angels declared that Jesus was "a saviour", and the ultimate meaning of that was that he would pay the price of our sins. Mark, in his Gospel, records a statement of Jesus to that effect: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Thank God that Jesus showed, through his awareness of the future, his fulfillment of Scripture and his sense of Divine Destiny, that his death was no accident. Rather, it was the conscious sacrifice of one sinless life, for the benefit of the rest of us sinners. May we come to a deeper understanding of how much we owe to Jesus for his inestimable love.