Why Did Jesus Die for Us?

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There is a simple answer and a more in-depth answer to this question.

*Note: The Bible verses below are taken from the ESV translation.

Simple Answer to Why Jesus Died for Us

This can be explained by a single bible verse found in Romans 6:23 which reveals both the problem and the answer.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

The Problem: So, question to ask ourselves is ➡ Have we ever sinned or violated God’s law? The answer is yes, because all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), so now the first half of Romans 6:23 apply.

The Answer: But here is the Good news. The second half of Romans 6:23 tells us that God gave us a gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. That whoever believes in Jesus is saved (John 3:16) and can enter into God’s presence in Heaven through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

Why Did Jesus Die for Us? Was there Another Way?

First, there is no other way because of Jesus’ bold statement,

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

So now we know that Jesus died for our sins, and believing in Him is the only way that we may enter into God’s Kingdom, through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Jesus Had a Mission

Jesus knew all along, about His mission.

1. He had told the disciples: He mentioned to His disciples that He was going to die on the Cross and be raised from the dead on the third day, even before it happened. (Matthew 17:23, Luke 24:7).
2. Jesus Quotes a Psalm Pointing to His Mission: On the Cross, though He cried “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34), Jesus was actually pointing out to a prophecy about Himself in Psalm 22. This confirms He knew these things would take place.
3. What did He finish?: Jesus’ final words were – It is finished (John 19:30).

Rules for Sinners in the Old Testament

According to the Old Testament sin was forgiven through the sacrifice of an animal (Leviticus 4:35). It was the blood of the animal that released people from their sins (Hebrews 9:22).

The Importance of the Blood:

1. Before Moses revealed the Ten Commandments (the Law) to the Israelites, Moses sprinkled blood on the people which inaugarated the Old Covenant (Exodus 24:8)
2. During the Passover in Egypt, the Israelites applied the blood of a lamb on their door posts and lintel and it was the blood that saved them from the coming destruction. (Exodus 12:21-23)

But in Jeremiah 31:31, God promised there would be a New Covenant to come, and Jesus confirmed that He was the New Covenant in the book of Matthew.

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28

By offering Himself as a living sacrifice, Jesus’ blood now makes us righteous to stand before God on the Day of Judgement – as we are forgiven of our sins (Acts 20:28).

No more the blood of goats or calves are required (Hebrews 9:11-14) – only the blood of Jesus saves.

Jesus Christ the Messiah

First we need to understand that the act of what Jesus did on the Cross was prophecied multiple times in the Old Testament.

Bible Study: See the list of some of the main prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament.

So the truth is that Jesus’ appearance in the New Testament wasn’t a suprise to many who understood Old Testament scriptures. Infact, they were eagerly expecting a Messiah (God’s annointed) to come and save them.

However, not many understood that the coming of the Messiah or Christ would be to save them from their sins and not from the problems of the world.

The coming of Jesus was also meant to be in stages:

1. First to redeem us from our sins (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 1:21, Daniel 9:24) Completed
2. To come with the clouds of Heaven to gather His people (Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, John 14:1-3)
3. Finally to Judge (Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:31-41)

The Multiple Roles of Jesus

Just as Jesus comes to earth more than once, His role on earth is also more than one.

Example #1

When we look at the Old Testament book of Isaiah we see 3 stages of the Messiah revealed in one verse.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

1. Born as a male child (Psalm 2:7 and Matthew 3:17)
2. Be a ruler (Genesis 49:10 and Revelation 5:5)
3. Jesus is God (Hebrews 1:8)

Example #2

Similarly, Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb ➡ Jesus is both the Lion (Rev 5:5) and the Lamb (John 1:36).

As a matter of fact, when you look into Rev 5:5-6, the elders call for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Jesus) and Jesus appears as the Lamb.

To sum up, Jesus came as a Lamb to sacrifice Himself for our sins (John 1:29), and Jesus is coming back again. But this Jesus is not coming as a humble Lamb, but as the just judge.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13

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