Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

by Joe R. Price

Some unbelievers skeptically question why Jesus had to die for God to forgive sins; others sincerely question the reason for His death. “Why did God choose to have Jesus be murdered on the cross to save us from sins?” Truth seekers discover in the Bible why Jesus died to save the lost (Acts 17:11).

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22) . From the earliest animal sacrifices offered by men to appease divine wrath against sin, the principle of life being sacrificed so sinners might live was being emphasized and expressed. The explanation was given to Israel in the Law of Moses, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). The ASV translates “for the soul” as “by reason of the life.” The shedding of blood denotes the giving of life. Sin destroys life (“in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die,” Genesis 2:17). Life that is pure and free from sin’s blemish is required by God and offered to Him to atone for sin. Yet, the blood of unblemished bulls and goats cannot take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). The animal sacrifices of the Law of Moses were shadows of what would be needed for human redemption. Another type of unblemished life would be necessary to purify sinners (Hebrews 10:1-4). A body was prepared for the Son so that He could offer Himself as the pure sacrifice for sinners (Hebrews 10:5-10).

The death of Jesus satisfies the justice of God. His death demonstrates the righteous justice of God in His forbearance toward sins that had been committed before the death of Jesus. “Whom God set forth (to be) a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, (I say), of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26). Justice demands the punishment of sin (the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23). Since the blood of unblemished animals could not redeem sinners (“take away sins,” Hebrews 10:4), divine wrath against sin had to be appeased. Divine justice demanded the penalty of death for sin. How could God be just and true to His righteousness as He “passed over” the sins that were previously committed without the penalty of sin being imposed (Romans 3:25)? The answer is “through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ” as His blood is “set forth as a propitiation” for sins (Romans 3:34-25). God would accept the life of the sinless Son as an adequate offering to appease divine wrath against sin. Isaiah explains, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief, when You make His soul an offering for sin…He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:10-11). Jesus freely offered His life to God as an offering for sinners, and God accepted it as sufficient to satisfy His justice against sin.

The death of Jesus shows the mercy of God. Were it not for the merciful grace of God, no sinner would be saved. The divine love is fully expressed in the voluntary death of Jesus, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Deserving death, sinners obtain life through the Son’s sacrificial death (Romans 5:6-11). By the grace of God Jesus tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9). He died willingly so we could be sanctified (Hebrews 10:10). God is rich in mercy and fully offers redemption to sinners in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-7; 1:6-7). The death of Jesus affirms that God forgives!

The death of Jesus was voluntary. God did not force the Son to die; He freely laid down His life. “Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father” (John 10:17-18). This magnifies the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus; there is no greater love. Jesus freely bore our sins on the cross so we can die to sin and live for righteousness (I Peter 2:24). “Oh, what wondrous love I see” on Calvary’s cross!

Inquiring sinners are compelled to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” God has done His part to save by providing and accepting the sinless offering of Jesus for the sins of the world. Now, sinners must believe Jesus is the Christ and confess Him, repent of every sin and be baptized, where contact with the saving blood of Jesus is obtained (Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:3-4; 10:9-10).