How do you feel

[Tonus]

That's actually another thing I have found peculiar. God repeatedly says that it's not the sacrifices that are important to him; yet Jesus was the sacrifice. Christians say that he was necessary as a blood sacrifice because he was going to be the sacrifice to end all sacrifices (hence all the references to him as the lamb). If sacrifices weren't the important thing to begin with, then why all the focus on Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice?

It also implies that god's hands are tied in some way, as if he is unable to see his plans through unless he offers an all-encompassing blood sacrifice. If this is not the case --if god can forgive sins without requiring a blood sacrifice-- then the crucifixion is really just a representation of god's pain and his generosity.

That actually sounds more reasonable: god uses an effigy to express his great sorrow and personal anguish at man's fall, and his willingness to go to the extreme length of forgiving everyone if they return to the fold. This fits in much better with the story of the prodigal son, for whom the father throws aside tradition out of sheer joy that his child has returned.

Mind you, it's still a 180-degree turn from how he deals with humanity in the old testament. But it's more consistent with the idea that he is almighty and that no one can stay his divine hand or hinder his plans.