Still they do not understand...
It illustrates in small measure the sacrifice that is the center of the Christian faith. Whether you believe that he was the Son of God or a simple man, the compassion and love of that act is staggering and very, very humbling.
There will come a day when all men will be called to account each by his own actions. The sacrifice of Christ is such that if anyone accept him into his heart, he will stand with him at the end and he will be forgiven. The only alternative is to be cast into the lake of fire along with the fallen angels.