Jesus had to say “no” his entire life, it wasn't just at the beginning. Over and over right up until the very end when Jesus was hanging on a cross, the crowd is yelling out, "You saved others. Save yourself. Come down from that cross," and Jesus, while he is dying, says one last great “No”. That no became God's “Yes” to the human race. The cross, which looked like the triumph of “No,” actually becomes God's “Yes” of atonement, forgiveness, grace, life and love to the human race.