Why is Christ's death considered a sacrifice?

[John V]

That doesn't help your case.

Sure it does. He had no sin and so deserved no punishment, yet took it for us.

So.

He still has an eternity as the all powerful ruler of the universe. Not a bad trade off for a few bad memories,

There you go again. He was already the all pwerful ruler of the universe. He did not receive it in a trade for his suffering.

I still remember my uncomfortable, pain in the ass, 15 hour plane flight to Australia. That memory did not detract one bit from my enjoyment I had for the 4 weeks I was in Australia.

Suppose you were already in Australia, then had to take a 15-hour flight to get something that your wife had forgotten to pack. I bet you'd bitch about that, and consider the time and money spent as a sacrifice for your wife.