The crowd at Jesus’ crucifixion challenged him to prove himself by climbing down from the cross, but not one person thought of what actually would happen: that he would die and then come back.

…The style fit God’s pattern and character. God has always chosen the slow and difficult way, respecting human freedom regardless of cost.

“God did not abolish the fact of evil; He transformed it,” wrote Dorothy Sayers. “He did not stop the crucifixion; He rose from the dead.” The hero bore all consequences, yet somehow triumphed.”

from The Jesus I Never Knew

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Gender-neutral version:

The crowd at Jesus’ crucifixion challenged him to prove himself by climbing down from the cross, but not one person thought of what actually would happen: that he would die and then come back.

…The style fit God’s pattern and character. God has always chosen the slow and difficult way, respecting human freedom regardless of cost.

“God did not abolish the fact of evil; God transformed it,” wrote Dorothy Sayers. “God did not stop the crucifixion; God rose from the dead.” The hero bore all consequences, yet somehow triumphed.”

from The Jesus I Never Knew