Why Did Jesus Die?

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (1 Peter 3:18)

The obvious answer to this question according to the verse above is that He died to bring us to God. While many in our day believe that all roads lead to heaven, the Bible is very clear that, because of sin, we are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). Man is hopelessly sinful and without the ability to save himself (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6). But, why would God go through such great lengths to save man? Why would the sinless Son of God have to shed His precious blood?

Because we are enemies, man’s need is to be reconciled. Throughout the Old Testament God laid out the plan for reconciliation. In Genesis as Adam and Eve were given a covering of skin its evident that the shedding of blood was necessary to forgive sins. I believe one of the most vivid examples of this truth is in the Book of Exodus as the last plague has been instituted that God shouts out that forgiveness of sin and deliverance from slavery is only found through the blood of a perfect lamb. Hebrews clearly states that the life is in the blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

As John is baptizing in the Jordan River and Jesus approaches, we hear John say, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). This is God’s Lamb. Indeed, it is God Himself who has left heaven, and become a man in order to give His life as a ransom for many. But, why would God go through such great lengths to save man?

I believe the answer is found in the most quoted verse of the Bible, John 3:16. Since God loved the world (people), He gave His Son to die for us. Christ’s death on the cross reconciled us to God, something we could never do on our own.

6 Truths about reconciliation:

It makes a man presentable to God: “yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach…” (Colossians 1:22)
It makes man be at peace with God: “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…” (Colossians 1:20a)
It appeases God’s wrath: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
It comes through Christ: “All these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
It is available to all who believe: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself”. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
It is the message to share: God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation” and “He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)