Was Jesus helpless before the cross? Far from being a helpless VICTIM, Jesus was a VICTOR in control of his destiny. Not only was he victorious over the power of death but was also selfless as a good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11) or as a good friend lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13) so that they would not have to taste death:
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:9
“And having disarmed the [evil] powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Colossians 2:15
Jesus knew the purpose of his crucifixion (salvation of mankind) and God had GLORIFIED his crucifixion TWICE (John 12:28)
“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world (SATAN) be CAST OUT. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth [crucified], WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME.” John 12:31-32
Jesus was not a COWARD but was COURAGEOUS enough to go up to Jerusalem knowing beforehand that he would be crucified there:
‘From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
But He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, SATAN! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Matthew 16:21-23
Any attempt to “save” Jesus from crucifixion would have been SATANIC. Besides, Jesus stated that he could call 12 legions of angels (72 000) to save him from the crucifixion by the Romans if he so wanted but he would not since scripture had to be fulfilled! (Matthew 26:53)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. NO ONE TAKES IT FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN OF MYSELF. I HAVE POWER TO LAY IT DOWN, AND I HAVE POWER TO TAKE IT AGAIN. This command I have received from My Father.”
John 10:11-15, 17-18
Someone who has power to raise himself from the dead is the opposite of helpless!
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the TEMPLE OF HIS BODY. Therefore, WHEN HE HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
John 2:19-22