Faith First Media

Why Did Jesus Die?

by Matthew Elton

matt@faithfirstmedia.com

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

--Matthew 16:21-22

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

--Matthew 20:28

“For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.”

--Mark 9:31

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”

--Luke 18:31-33

During his earthly ministry, Jesus had warned his disciples that he was going to die, and rise from the dead on the third day after his death, in accordance with the prophesies concerning the Messiah.

But why die?

Because Mankind Sinned

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”

--Romans 3:23

Sin is disobedience to God. The truth is that all people of the world have broken God’s commandments. Even something as seemingly insignificant as telling a lie, stealing a small item, using the Lord’s name in vain, or being angry at another person is defiance to God’s laws. The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Because we have all sinned, and because the penalty for sin is death, we therefore all deserve to die for our sins. Jesus came to die in our place, willingly taking the punishment we deserve upon himself, so that it would not fall on us, if we only believe and follow him.

The Scriptures make it clear why Jesus died:

To Save Us

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

--Luke 19:10

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

--Hebrews 7:25

To Free Us From the Bondage of Sin

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

--Galatians 5:1

To Reconcile Us to God

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

--John 14:6

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”

--2 Corinthians 5:18

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

--Colossians 1:20

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

--Romans 5:10-11

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

--Ephesians 2:13

“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby”

--Ephesians 2:16

To Give Us Peace With God and With Each Other

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

--Romans 5:1

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”

--Ephesians 2:14 NLT

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

--Colossians 1:20

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

--John 14:27

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

--John 16:33

For Our Healing

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

--Isaiah 53:5 

So We May Live

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

--John 3:16

Since Jesus died for us, we should live for him, following him as Lord over all. In following him, we will receive the salvation that he paid the ultimate price for, and we will honor the sacrifice Christ made by following his commandments out of love and respect for him, the ultimate savior.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

--John 14:23

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

--Romans 12:1

See Also: 

• God Loves You!
• What must I do to be saved?
• Basic Christian Beliefs Database