Here's an alternative theory (I'm only allowed one more post after this one for today, so can't get into a debate about it). Let's see if you can consider it, even just a little bit.
The Bible is a collection of writings made by men who lived at a time when the sun orbited around a flat earth and natural phenomena were regarded as portents. The collection was larger at one time, surviving as copies of copies of copies, and it was rendered down by the Roman Catholic Church many centuries after writing to represent the basic work it is today, from which various translations and interpretations have been taken and untold volumes of complimentary works have been produced. The Bible contains coda with which one may structure a principled life and it contains anomalies, contradictions and mysteries which have precipitated a spectrum of belief systems, not all of which (probably none of which) can be correct.
Given that Jesus of Nazareth actually existed and was executed for purposes that can only be gleaned from the Bible (since there is no other reference) then it is only through an interpretation of the Bible one can understand his sacrifice. To repeat, there is no other reference, so you either believe the Bible is factual or you don't.
If the Bible cannot be believed then you need to find another rationale for the existence and sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth or you need to accept that he either was not what he is held to be in the hearts and minds of millions or he never existed at all.
