He would not

Rembrant~The Cross of Christ    The small man in the artist's cap at Jesus feet is Rembrandt. He is there in the painting, because he realized his sins helped place Jesus upon the cross. So did the sins of us all.

Matthew 27:27–66; Mark 15:16–39; Luke 23:26–56; John 19:17–42

After He was sentenced to be crucified, Jesus allowed the people to mock, scourge, and persecute Him.

"And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." 1 Nephi 19:9

Jesus always had His mission in the forefront of His thoughts, words, and deeds. In the great council in Heaven, He said. “Here am I, send me." At the tender age of 12, He said to His mother. “I must be about my Father’s business." While upon the cross, He uttered. “Father, it is finished, thy will is done." Even though Jesus, the Son of the Almighty Father in Heaven, could have stopped His agony and torment, He would not. He condescended and accomplished the infinite Atonement.

In my studies, I've often come to the conclusion that part of Jesus' mission upon Earth was to show us how to be, to give us an example of what we want to become. Of course, nobody upon the Earth can become perfect like Him. Nevertheless, His life is a pattern for our strivings.  The magnitude of Jesus' character was evident especially during the time from the Garden to His death.  On the cross, in excruciating pain,  he was more concerned for his mother than for himself. He forgave His friends (Peter) and His enemies (those that mocked and scourged). He cared more for Heavenly Father’s will than His own life. He was compassionate in the face of the weaknesses of others (the thieves and the soldiers). He did not complain.

Difficult time are at hand often during the lives of men: untimely or early death of loved ones, misunderstandings, political and social unrest, economic crisis, illness, and so forth.  We can choose to follow the Savior’s example during times of difficulty with kindness, patience, long-suffering, forgiveness, selflessness, compassion, and living the commandments and will of God. We can remember the words of the Savior in this time of distress, whenever we have distressing circumstances.

1. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
2. Today you will be with me in paradise.
3. Behold your son: behold your mother.
4. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.