A blog post by Grimsrud: "The New Testament simply does not explain the inner workings of how Jesus’ death is a meaningful act that is linked with human salvation. The satisfaction view has become so embedded in Western theology that its adherents simply assume that it is based on the Bible. However, at its core it does not have direct biblical warrant."
The above is what I was trying to get at last week, but I don't think I said what I was thinking. While there are verses in the Old Testament cited as referring to Jesus' death, they don't provide insight in to why and therefore don't position it as sacrifice for atonement.
I think the "need" that Israel thought it had and sought to be filled by the Messiah was restoration of Israel's place of power in the world, and hence with that a better life. The "need" as expressed by God through the prophets to Israel's leaders was mercy toward each other, and in particular towards the less fortunate (widows and orphans).
Did God need Jesus to die? If so, how does the creator from chaos, an all powerful God need anything?
Did God allow Jesus to die? If so, how can God be merciful, particularly in this case to his own son? If God does allow Jesus to die, is he doing it to take on the role of Abraham in his willingness to sacrifice his son?
Did Jesus want to die? No, if so, why the prayer in Gethesemene? However, Jesus trusting in God's will.
Seems to me from reading the Bible, starting with the story of Cain and Abel, that God is unable to prevent humans from killing each other. Perhaps it's the consequence or our having knowledge of good and evil.
What the Bible does teach us about God is that he is creator out of chaos. Perhaps while God could not prevent Jesus' death he used it to create something. If so, what?