The Reason Jesus Had To Die

REFERENCES

Genesis 3

John 3:16

Romans 5:8

1 Corinthians 1:8

___

Some of Christianity's greatest critics often question why its followers would worship a man who died fighting for what seemed to be His version of the truth. They ask why believers would bow down to an ancient torture device. Why would we build churches in the name of a God that seems to be distant or uninterested in humanity?

Thankfully, the Bible refutes those claims. There is a reason Jesus had to die.

In Genesis 1-2, a holy and righteous God created all of existence, from the tiniest organism to the biggest mountains. And He saw that it was good. It was perfect. But in Genesis 3, the lies of the evil one turned everything upside down. Sin ruined it all. Man's finite decisions led to chaos and darkness. But because God is holy, He could not allow that sin to remain in his presence. There had to be a way to reconcile God and man. In John 14, Jesus declared that He was the way to the Father.

Jesus had to walk the road to Calvary so that we would not have to walk that road ourselves. He suffered the most painful, excruciating death, identifying as a criminal, so that you and I could be innocent in His sight. He chose the cross...He made a conscious choice to leave His place in heaven...so that we would no longer be under the bondage of sin. He knew how bad it was going to hurt, but He did it anyway. Because He LOVES us. He sacrificed EVERYTHING, including His own life, because of His love for us. He couldn't stand to be separated from His own creation.

This is why simply being a good person will not get you to heaven. Having decent morals and being a social justice warrior will not secure your place in eternity with Jesus. We get there by the way of the cross. The disciples, Paul, Peter...even Mary herself...had to go through Christ.

The love of an Almighty God for His children is why we value the cross at the front of our churches. It is why we worship every Sunday. It is why we shout and sing. Jesus didn't just die for His version of the truth; He died because He IS the way, the truth, and the life. Friends, God is not distant or uninterested. It is quite the opposite in the account of the crucifixion. It is evident in the Resurrection. Our God is ALIVE. That is why we worship. That is why we sing. That is why we testify.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

What a beautiful thing it is to know that a humble man from Galilee had us on His mind as He bled and died on an old rugged cross. Oh that we might be thankful for His sacrifice.