WHO INFLICTS CHRIST'S SUFFERING?

As Holy Week approaches, I've been trying to get a handle on the meaning of the crucifixion this week. There's nothing in all of theology that is more important.

Or more daunting. 

The last thing I want to do is misrepresent the crucifixion - in particular what is happening behind the scenes in God's economy.

I've been hovering in the Gospel of John these past few weeks and there's very little commentary on the Father's direct involvement in the whole ordeal of the Son's death beyond giving Jesus a heads up that the betrayal, the denial, and the crucifixion are coming. (And also the resurrection!) So it does seems to be playing out according to foreknowledge, if not a preordained plan.

Jesus speaks of what's about to happen in these terms:

"Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him." (John 13:31)

He also speaks of "going to the Father" and sending the Holy Spirit. 

And "the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." (14:31)

Interestingly, there's not a word that I have found in John concerning Jesus being punished for the sins of the world.

As far as John's narration of the flesh and blood events, it seems obvious that it is "the world" that is persecuting Jesus and sending him to the cross. In particular it is the High Priest Caiaphas, the Roman Governor Pilate, the crowds stirred up by the ruling Jews, and the soldiers who all bear some responsibility for the suffering of Jesus. 

I guess what I was looking for in John was some indication of "Penal Substitutionary Atonement" being acknowledged - the teaching that ultimately it is God the Father inflicting the suffering on Jesus. PSA says the Father punishes the Son on our behalf so that we can be forgiven.

If PSA is the whole point of the death of Christ - as many teach - wouldn't Jesus have slipped some teaching about PSA into all that he said to his disciples on the night before his arrest? 

As far as I can tell, though, the Father sends the Son to the cross and warns him about it beforehand, but it's humanity which inflicts the punishment.