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Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Introduction: While a lot of people come to church on "Easter Sunday" as a special Sunday; we as New Testament Christians do so each and every Sunday. We do so to sing, pray, teach, preach, give, and remember the Lord's death. The question has been asked "Why did Jesus have to die?" To answer this question we must understand why Jesus did die on cross. I) Jesus Died Because We Sin A) Sin is breaking or transgressing God's law, 1 John 3.4 1. Joseph realized the connection between breaking the law and sinning against God, Genesis 39.7-9 2. David understood this principle in Psalm 51.4 3. The Law in the Garden of Eden came from God; the Mosaical Law came from God; therefore when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit they sinned against God. B) God is all powerful, all knowing, eternal, etc. Exodus 3.14 1. To say that God is superior to man is to minimize God's position. He is our creator, sustainer of life, and Judge. 2. The greater the being the greater the offense or sin. a. For instance, if you threaten my life you will probably not be persecuted. If you threaten the life of the President of the United States you will go to jail. b. David realized that he sinned against Bathsheba's husband but the ultimate one he sinned against was God. 3. God does not just forget the sin. Why? a. Because God is just and righteous. A just God requires justice be served. A righteous God requires punishment for the transgressor. C) Sin is an infinite act committed against an infinite God, with an infinite price, Matthew 25.46 1. There are no statute of limitations when it comes to sin. Time does not diminish sin, being a good person does not take away sin. 2. The payment for sin is the life of the sinner. a. Principle stated in Leviticus 17.10-11 b. When one sins they are separated from God, therefore, they are dead, Romans 6.23a. 3. Under the Patriarchal Dispensation man offered sacrifices for his sins; under the Law of Moses the Jews took their sacrifices to the priest to be offered for their sins. a. Under neither law was the sacrifice sufficient, Hebrew 10.1-4 b. Animals have no soul c. Man could not substitute anything or anyone else for his sins. D) Therefore Jesus died to redeem us, Ephesians 1.7 1. Redeemer is one who buy's back or purchases back. 2. To redeem one must have the ability to pay the price. 3. This could only be done by one who was sinless, 2 Corinthians 5.21 II) He Died To Fulfill the Law of Moses and the Prophets, Matthew 5.17-18; Luke 24.44 A) To observe the Law of Moses perfectly 1. In order to be the perfect sacrifice Jesus had to keep the whole law perfectly. 2. He made himself subject to the law. B) To fulfill the prophesies 1. A prophecy is a foretelling of future events. 2. Prophecies concerning His birth, His life, and His death. a. Psalm 22 describes the pain and agony of Jesus on the cross. b. Isaiah 53 speaks of Jesus being betrayed, His humiliation, His trial, and His bearing the "sins of many" v. 12. 3. Jesus died to fulfill the Scriptures, John 19.36 4. One of those prophecies concerned the establishment of a New Covenant, Jeremiah 31.31ff III) Jesus Died To Establish A New Covenant A) The shedding of blood required, Hebrews 9.11-15 1. No one should argue that we are still under the Law of Moses for that was done away with as Jesus died on the cross. 2. No one should argue that we are not under any law for we are under the Law of Spirit and life, Romans 8.2. 3. We see the connection between the blood of Jesus and the New Covenant with the Lord's Supper, Luke 22.20; 1 Corinthians 11.25 B) Before the New Covenant could be given the Old have to be abolished, Romans 7.1ff C) Jesus had to die so He could ascend to the Father and send the Holy Spirit, John 16.7, 13 1. In Acts 1 we read of the ascension of Jesus in verse 9 2. In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles, verse 4. 3. From this point onward the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles and revealed the New Covenant to them. Conclusion: Thus Jesus died to pay for our sins, to fulfill the law of Moses, and to Establish a New Covenant. Some may question God's goodness because Jesus had to die on the cross. This would be just if Jesus did not voluntarily lay down His life. He was a willing sacrifice, John 10.17-18. No one should think they deserve heaven, it is a matter of God's grace being extended to us through His Son. But no one can go to heaven without the shedding of Jesus' blood. Romans 3.21-24
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