Who killed Jesus? God did; here's why

The newly released movie "The Passion of the Christ" is a hot topic of conversation and a very dramatic telling of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life on Earth.
The depiction of such violence, betrayal and hatred has given new life to the ongoing debate of who really killed Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us accounts of Jesus' painful crucifixion and suffering.
However, the "blame game" has continued for more than 2,000 years. Playing the blame game over the death of Jesus is like being a Monday-morning quarterback after your favorite team has lost again. It doesn't change a thing.
Anti-Semitic references are refueled when the Jewish people are blamed for killing Jesus. Some blame the Roman establishment because it was the governing entity that enacted the death penalty. Other particular individuals and groups in leadership at that time are placed on the "hit list" as well.
Nevertheless, there is one name that I believe is the true responsible party who seems to somehow get totally bypassed in the discussion. His name is God, Jehovah, and he did it!
Scripture's words
If there is one Scripture most people recognize, it is John 3:16, which says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. His son was given to die.
The book of Isaiah describes God's outlook on his son's suffering. Isaiah 53:10 says it pleased the Lord to bruise him.
In fact, Isaiah 53:5 tells us that God allowed his son to be wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and it is by Jesus' stripes we are healed.
The Bible even describes Jesus as the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. If that's not proof of premeditation, I don't know what is.
Yes, God did it! There is more than enough evidence of guilt written from his own diary that he did it.
But why?
One might ask: What motive would God the Father have in killing his own son?
The answer is God's great love for you. He did it as a part of his great plan of redemption. During this upcoming resurrection season, accept the Father's love by receiving the sacrifice of his son, Jesus.
XThe Rev. Dwight Dumas is the pastor of Fifth Avenue Community Church in Youngstown.