Why did Jesus have to die? As we observe Good Friday, and enter in to Easter weekend, this is an appropriate question. The stock answer, of course, is that Christ died for our sins; Jesus died to forgive us from our sins. While I find nothing wrong about these common answers, I believe that they often assume too much of the one asking the question.
First, the answer assumes an understanding of sin, and humankind’s slavery thereto. Christ’s death is meaningless and useless if one does not believe in the sinfulness of all humankind, and our inability to be free from it. The hard fact of our existence is that we consistently “miss the mark” in terms of living out the life for which God created us. We fall short of God’s moral standard through a depressingly vast, and ever increasing array of thoughts, words and deeds.
Even worse, history has shown that no amount of philosophical or technological progress, and no measure of human effort, no matter how noble, has ever been able to fix it. If Christ died for our sins, but there is no such thing as sin, Christ died for nothing. Moreover, if Christ died for our sin, but there is some other way for us to know freedom from sin, whether by deed, word, or personal sacrifice, Christ died for nothing (c.f., Gal. 2:21).
Secondly, the answer assumes an understanding of God’s justice. Some years ago, I was listening to a debate some between a Muslim and a Christian about God. When the topic of Christ’s death came up, the Muslim asked the question point blank: Why did Jesus have to die to forgive us for our sins? God is almighty and all-powerful; could He not just forgive us? God can do anything and everything that He wants. Why is Christ’s death necessary?
The answer is that Christ died because God is just. If God were simply to let our sins go, to let us slide, then He is not a god of justice. I’ve met people who chafe on this idea, which they (erroneously) assume paints a picture of a wrathful, angry, sadist of a god. What we forget is that, if we’re honest about it, we all want a god of justice. Do we not want evildoers to be punished? Even the worst sinners among us inherently want justice when we are wronged. A liar lied to is eager for his deceiver to be brought to justice. If God lets us slide, then He lets Hitler, Manson and Pol Pot slide, too. We all want evil to be brought to justice, but the hard consequence of that desire is that we too, are evil, and therefore deserve punishment.
Christ died because God is just, and God cannot do anything contrary to His nature. As such, there must be punishment for sin; a reckoning for what humanity has done. So, in a horrible irony, God Himself endures the punishment, which is the worst injustice the world has ever known: God became man in Christ, and made history by being the first and only human ever to walk the earth entirely without sin. He came to heal, to teach, to bring life and restoration to the world. This one, this perfect God-man, was mocked, beaten, and tortured to death by the very ones He came to save. In executing His justice, God endured history’s most egregious injustice.
Christ died to restore and redeem that which was lost due to human sinfulness. He died for our sins. As we reflect on this today, let’s not forget the truths that make this statement meaningful. Moreover, as God avails us the opportunity to share the hope we have in Christ with others, let us not assume too much. In America, sin is often a matter of human preference. Even more, unmerited faith is placed upon our own abilities to solve deep problems, and justice is wrongly subject to our own biassed whim. Let’s lovingly and carefully proclaim the bad news, that we are sinners answerable to a God of justice, as we joyfully proclaim the good, that ”while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8), and “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
danny
bmarchio
[...] small point is that when someone understands the criticism as one against a cruel God, I feel it necessary to point out that this isn’t exactly it. Yes, [...]
Wow, where to begin. Jesus died because his Father told him to. Yes, he knew it would cleanse all of mankind from sin, but, He lived his life as his Father commanded him to.
You say we are slaves to sin… Well, I am not!!I have sinned may even sin again but I have been forgiven and I live in that. Being a slave to sin means you have no choice in the matter. Yet, that is one of the greatest gifts God gave to us.. the ability, the right, the responsibility of choice.
I am sorry if you live a life that continually “misses the mark”. I live a life that moves from Glory to Glory. Which is another reason Jesus died to bring many Sons to Glory!
I’m sorry but just about everything you posted here are lies from the enemy that have been spun to keep man from fulfilling their true purpose in God. These lies are designed to keep you weak and ineffective.
There is no point in dwelling on being a sinner or dwelling on past sins. Repent, be forgiven and keep tracking with God’s purpose for your life.
As you keep walking out God’s Word you will see justice being fulfilled all around you.
Ken- it’s funny, when I read your comment, I thought the same thing: “Wow, where to begin.” I’ll let Brian respond, since this is his post, but I know he won’t be able to right away. In the meantime, may I make a couple of suggestions.
First, when you disagree with something somebody wrote, ask clarifying questions to make sure you’ve understood them correctly. I say this first because, quite frankly, you missed the point of this post. So, an example of a clarifying question: “Brian, what did you mean by humanity’s slavery to sin?” Something along those lines.
Second, on this site, it’s better to address the situation biblically. Do you disagree with Brian’s interpretation of a passage? Do you think he’s contradicting something that is taught in Scripture? This is best done in conjunction with step #1.
Third, don’t go on someone’s site and tell them they’re spreading the devil’s lies. Especially when you haven’t understood them. See step #1.
Fourth, and this is important: adhere to the principle of charity, especially when you’re discussing with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps they weren’t speaking as clearly as they could have (I know I’m frequently guilty of this). Perhaps you’ve misunderstood. Either way, given them the benefit of the doubt until you’ve fully understood them. This is especially important in a blog post that is attempting to be concise. We can’t cover everything in one shot.
So, there you go. The simple problem here is that you misunderstood what Brian was talking about (you are making his post about the current relationship of sin to the believer’s life, which is not what he is discussing here, although it is of immense importance). But instead of getting some clarification on the issue, you accuse Brian of participating in Satan’s lies. So there you go, that’s one sin you committed today that was paid for on Christ’s cross.
Ken,
It’s near impossible to convey sincerity in this format, but hopefully my typed words will suffice when I say that I’m sorry to have offended you.
I think I should clarify one point: I did say that humankind is in slavery to sin (c.f., Rom. 6). Perhaps I should have made the distinction that those in Christ are no longer slaves to sin. So as a believer, I am no longer a slave to sin (c.f., Rom. 6; Gal. 4). My language, which switched from “humankind” to “we” (for no other reason than to avoid cumbersome writing) is perhaps what mislead you. Unredeemed humanity is in slavery to sin; believers in Christ are not (n.b., the latter still sin, however).
The point of my post what that to appreciate the fact that “Christ died for our sins,” we must understand that we are sinners, and sinners deserve to be brought to justice. Praise be to God, those in Christ are forgiven, and may live in the blessed joy of that grace, unencumbered by the guilt of their past sins. Amen and amen. I did not stress that point, since it wasn’t the one I was trying to make, but I hardly think I contradicted it.
I’ll also add, as Danny pointed out, that my explanation of Christ’s death on the cross is far from exhaustive. The answer to the question “Why did Jesus die?” is the subject of many long books; I could hardly hope to capture and explain all the reasons here. Again, my point was much more narrow in scope.
All that said, I believe my position is Biblically defensible, and would be happy to engage in such an endeavor if you wish. I do believe (hope?) that we have a simple misunderstanding which my comments above have cleared. If not, please do respond specifically and Biblically to what you find erroneous about my post and/or comment, and we can continue the discussion.