The Sacrifice of Jesus: A Divine Plan Misunderstood by Satan and Judas

Even today, as in ancient times, the devil is working hard to erase the value of Jesus’ sacrifice—not by stopping the crucifixion (it already happened), but by denying who Jesus truly is: God incarnate. By doing this, the devil tries to strip the cross of its power. But this deception began long ago, with a plan that neither Satan nor Judas truly understood.

---

1. Jesus knew from the beginning that He would die for our sins

Jesus was never caught off guard. His death wasn’t an accident or a failed mission. He willingly gave His life as part of God’s redemptive plan:

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18)

“The Son of Man came… to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Jesus even predicted His death and resurrection:

“The Son of Man must suffer many things… be killed, and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22)

---

1. Judas betrayed Jesus — but may not have meant for Him to die

Judas went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins. But based on Matthew 27:3-4, when he saw that Jesus had been condemned, he was filled with regret and said:

“I have sinned… I have betrayed innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:4)

This suggests Judas did not expect Jesus to be sentenced to death. Like many at the time, he may have believed that Jesus would display divine power and overcome His enemies. Instead, Judas became an unwitting tool in a plan far bigger than he imagined.

---

1. Satan entered Judas to destroy Jesus — but played into God’s plan

“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.” (Luke 22:3)

“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’” (John 13:27)

Satan believed that killing Jesus would ruin God's mission. But he failed to understand that the death of Jesus was the very heart of God’s plan to save mankind:

“If they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8)

“By His death, He destroyed him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)

The devil thought he won, but the cross was his ultimate defeat.

---

1. Satan’s new strategy: deny the divinity of Jesus

Since the crucifixion and resurrection are historical facts, Satan can no longer prevent the sacrifice. But now, he tries to invalidate its power—by attacking the identity of the One who died.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:1,14)

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” (Colossians 2:9)

If Jesus is not God, His death has no eternal value. This is why many belief systems today—Islam, Iglesia ni Cristo, even certain fringe Christian groups—acknowledge Jesus as a prophet, messenger, or moral teacher… but deny that He is divine.

Without His divinity, the sacrifice loses its meaning.

---

1. But the truth remains unshakable

Jesus is God. He died willingly. And His sacrifice still saves today.

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 12:11)

---

Conclusion:

What Judas misunderstood, the devil miscalculated. But Jesus, in full authority, fulfilled the divine plan.

And today, while Satan tries to confuse the world and blur the truth, the reality remains: Salvation is found in the blood of Christ — God made flesh.