Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Of the many mysteries within the Bible revolves around why Jesus had to die. Knowing that God is all-powerful, why did He need a sacrifice? The answer lies in the love He has for you and me. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul tells us this, And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (5:2). While John tells us in his first letter that And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2).

In order to understand why, we need to look at God's Word in its' entirety. In the Old Testament, believers would sacrifice animals to seek a deeper and stronger relationship with God. The animal was to be as pure as possible and without blemish. In other words, the best one. However, no matter how good the sacrifice was, it was never perfect. Similarly, all of us have "blemishes" no matter how many good deeds we do or offerings we make. In order to be made perfect before God, we were in need of a perfect sacrifice. And, Jesus did just that for all who proclaim Him as Lord.

Listen to these words found in Hebrews, Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:9-10).

Our debt has been paid by the spotless Lamb. Have you accepted His offer?

Pastor Aaron