Why Did Jesus Have to Die? (2)

1. Sin

Jesus’ suffering addresses the fundamental human condition of separation from God through sin. God became human flesh and walked Planet Earth in order to die as the atoning sacrifice for our sin.1 This necessity operates on multiple levels.

2. God’s Desire to Restore the Lost Relationship with Man

First, the suffering was necessary to satisfy the requirements of divine justice and redemption. The atonement was necessary as the means of recovering men from a state of sinful alienation from God, and it is with reference to the reconciliation of sinners with God that the scriptures affirm a necessity for the sufferings and death of Christ.2 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22 “According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” ) The Old Testament sacrificial system established a pattern that Christ fulfilled through his death—a substitutionary act where he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. (Isaiah 53:4–6 “Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.” )

Second, the suffering transforms the human situation fundamentally. The fact that this transformation has taken place is due to the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross; apart from the Cross it would not, and could not happen.3 Rather than being merely theoretical, this necessity connects to God’s redemptive purpose—God had some definite end in view when he freely purposed, predicted, and effected, the death of Christ; and he purposed, predicted, and effected it, because it was a necessary means to that end.2

3.Because of God’s Love for Mankind

Third, Christ’s suffering demonstrates divine love and solidarity with humanity. Believing that God suffers with us, that God suffered to an even greater degree when, incarnate, He hung on the cross, being abandoned by those He loved, may comfort the believer when in a state of suffering.4 This transforms suffering from meaningless tragedy into redemptive act.

Several biblical passages illuminate this necessity: God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7–10 “For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” ) Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,” ) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14–16 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” )

4.His Desire to Rescue Us

Satan

Hell

Not Following Christ aligns You with Satan

Heading to Same Punishment as Satan

Jesus Died to Rescue Us From that Punishment

Trust and Follow Jesus and You Will be Saved