Why did Jesus die? (Understanding the reason for Jesus’ death)

The center of God’s love for humanity is found in the death of Jesus. God says in his word that he sent his only son to die for us. Why God chose Jesus to die and not anyone else raises many questions. Why did Jesus die?

The Bible implies that Jesus’ death was necessary to save humanity. The gospel of 1st John 1:29 says, “Behold! The lamp of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Romans 4:25 also agrees that Christ died for the sins of humanity.

So, does the Bible answer why Jesus died? Why was it necessary for Jesus to die? Was Jesus’ death inevitable? What does Jesus’ death symbolize? Could humanity be saved another way besides Jesus’ death? How did Jesus’ death bring Christians closer to God? What did Christians gain from Jesus’ death? Stick around for more information and answers to these questions and more.

Does the Bible answer why Jesus died?

We see in the Bible that Jesus’ death resulted from Judas Iscariot betraying him and the envy the Jews had towards him. Mathew 27:15-18 says, “Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And they had then a notorious prisoner, Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?” For he knew because of envy, they had delivered him.”

However, there are more reasons why Jesus died other than being betrayed. John 3:14 indicates that Jesus’ death was necessary. Jesus also did die to pay the penalty for our sins. Romans 4:25 says that Jesus died for our transgressions and our justification. The Bible adds that He without sin became sin so humanity could be saved.

In 1st Corinthians 15:3, Christ died to pay the price of our sins with his blood. He had to die for our relationship with God to be mended.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to die?

The Bible implies that Christ had to die for humanity to be saved. This is because the lamp that was required to pay the price needed to be innocent, and Christ was innocent without sin. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Additionally, the death of Jesus Christ was predetermined and thus could not be avoided. Isaiah 53:1-12 describes the coming of the Messiah and how he will be rejected and despised. John 1:29 says, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

1st Corinthians 15:3- 4 says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.”

Why did Jesus die?
Was Jesus’ death inevitable? See below

Was Jesus’ death inevitable?

Bible scholars and theologians unanimously agree that Jesus’ death was inevitable and that for God to save humanity, Christ had to die. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Another reason why Christ’s death was inevitable was that it had to happen for Jesus to achieve his own resurrection. Luke 24:7 affirms this by saying that Jesus was to be given up to die and rise on the third day.

Consequently, during his teachings, Jesus repeatedly said that he must suffer and die (Mathew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, Luke 17:25, Luke 24:26). The term ‘must’ as used by Christ when referring to his suffering clearly indicates that his death was a core part of God’s plan to save us. It implies that Christ’s suffering was predetermined and could not be evaded at any cost.

Theologian Don Stewart agrees that Jesus’ death was part of the eternal purpose of God. Hebrews 10:7-10 emphasizes that Christ came on earth to fulfill God’s will. Verse 10 says, “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.”

What does Jesus’ death symbolize?

The death of Jesus symbolizes God’s love for humanity, as indicated in John 3:16 that He died according to God’s will for the salvation of humankind.

God loved us so much that Christ became sin so we may be saved. 1st Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins, in the body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed.”

Could humanity be saved another way besides Jesus’ death?

As mentioned above, God could not save humanity in any other way because the wages of sin are death, and saving humanity requires an innocent death. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The book of Romans 3:23 also says that all have sinned against God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Saving man needed someone pure and with no blemish; that is why God had to send Jesus to die for us. The Bible is also clear that Christ was without sin; thus, he had to be made sin for us to be saved. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Understanding the reason for Jesus’ death
How did Jesus’ death bring Christians closer to God? See below

How did Jesus’ death bring Christians closer to God?

The scripture is clear that sin separates us from God. Therefore, by Christ dying for our sins, it means that we are saved and hence are close to God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

The Bible says in the book of Romans 3:24-26 that we are all justified and saved through God’s grace and the redemption that came from Jesus. Our relationship with God was mended through Christ being sacrificed as an atonement for our sins. 1st Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit.”

Theologian Don Stewart notes that Jesus paid the ransom of our sins to God to satisfy the holy demands of God. By being our substitute and paying the penalty for the sin of man, he brought us closer to God. He showed us the love of God and brought humankind out of the slavery of sin.

What did Christians gain from Jesus’ death?

Christians gained salvation and healing from Christ’s death. 1st Peter 2:24 affirms this and adds that the wounds Jesus received resulted in man’s healing.

Through the death of Jesus, we were brought closer to God. Mark 10:45 reads, “For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”

References

Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?

10 Reasons Jesus Came to Die

Why did Jesus have to die?

Why Did Jesus Have to Die for Us?

7 Reasons Christ Suffered and Died

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