Chapter 8

Jesus Christ

Did He Have to Die?

In the last chapter we started to answer the question — "Why did Jesus come?" The answer was that He came in obedience to God and to give Himself a ransom for many, from which arises two questions we want to discuss in this chapter.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Was there not another way salvation could have been purchased? Wasn't there something else God could do to save men? Let us go back to the beginning of the Bible, to Genesis where it reads, "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7). Following his creation, Adam was put in the Garden of Eden which is described in Genesis 2:10-15. Then, God gave him a command saying:

Genesis 2:16-17

16 …"From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;

17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die."

The Wages of Our Sin — The penalty for Adam's disobedience to that command was death — both spiritual death and physical death. When one understands death as the Bible uses the word, he can see that the penalty was immediate in the spiritual realm and began to be carried out in the physical realm. Death is not total destruction or cessation of existence, but rather, death is separation. Spiritual death is separation from God; physical death is separation of the soul and spirit from the body. The soul and spirit continue to exist after death, but apart from the body which eventually decays and returns to dust.

When Adam sinned he instantly died spiritually. He was separated from God who is the source of all life. The biblical record says that Adam hid himself from God. It was not man who sought after God, but God who sought after Adam with the question, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9). God knew where Adam was; He simply wanted Adam to acknowledge where he was — separated from God because of his sin. Since God is the source of all life, to be separated from Him necessarily results not only in spiritual death, but in physical death also. Consequently, Adam began the downward path which resulted in his own physical death — and the death of all men after him, "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Yes, death has come upon all mankind as the penalty for sin. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." In order for the death penalty to be paid and the sinner set free, Jesus had to die. He had to pay the penalty for our sin if we were to be forgiven.

The Shedding of Blood Necessary — When Jesus died on the Cross, shedding His blood, He was fulfilling the required payment for sin. This is in keeping with Hebrews 9:22 which says, "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God said to His people concerning atonement for sin:

Leviticus 17:11, 14

11 '…the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.'

14 "For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood…'"

Why was Jesus' death necessary? It was necessary to pay the penalty for sin in order that you and I may be set free from sin's guilt, penalty, and bondage. Just as Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus Died Voluntarily for Us – Some believe God was cruel to give His Son to pay for our sin on the Cross. That might be so if Jesus were not God. But, Jesus Himself said:

John 10:17-18

17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."

Therefore, Jesus had both the authority to give His life as a sacrifice for sin and the authority to come back to life again — to come out of the grave in resurrection glory. Jesus was not forced to go to the Cross, but went voluntarily because of His love for us.

What Are the Results of His Sacrifice?

Jesus' sacrifice resulted in several benefits for believers. One of them is found in Romans 5:

Romans 5:18-19

18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

Believers Justified — The ransom Jesus paid resulted in justification of life to all men. Justification is a legal act of God whereby He declares righteous all who trust in Jesus. Remember we said earlier that death is the penalty for sin. Since all have sinned, all are cut off from God; they are spiritually dead. Believers are restored to life and fellowship. When Jesus satisfied the righteous demands of the Law, God was able to restore fellowship with those of us who trusted in Jesus. Two things took place: (1) the legal requirement of the Law was satisfied because the penalty was paid and (2) since sins were taken away (Hebrews 10:11-12), eternal life was given to believers.

Jesus paid the entire penalty for sin, leaving the sinner debt free. The believer is received by God just as though he had never sinned at all. Again, it must be made perfectly clear that justification is received personally by trusting in Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection are solely and completely sufficient for your salvation. Paul wrote that Jesus "was delivered up because of our transgressions [the ransom], and was raised because of our justification [the result]" (Romans 4:25).

Peace with God — In addition to life, justification brings peace. Romans goes on to say:

Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Peace with God is needed by every troubled soul. To know that you are at peace with God and that He is at peace with you is great soul-satisfying knowledge. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. The Scripture says, "He Himself is our peace … And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near" (Ephesians 2:14, 17).

The Peace of God — Once we "lay down our arms," cease fighting against God, and come into fellowship with Him, we can also enter into the peace of God. There is a world of difference between peace with God and the peace of God.

Philippians 4:6 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Of course, before we can let our requests be made known to God we have to come into a place of peace with God. Then verse seven goes on to say, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." What a blessed thought that is, the peace of God.

Imagine yourself in God's place, if you can. Imagine — nothing in the entire world can touch you. You have no needs; you can supply the need of every other being; you do not have to depend on anybody else. You have perfect peace. That kind of peace can be yours. But it comes only by trusting in Jesus Christ and then submitting your life to Him.

Thus, according to Philippians 4:6, you can pray with thanksgiving because God has promised to answer prayer for those who come in Jesus' name, provided their lives and motives are right.

Make It Personal

Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. He also said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:10). If your life is not an abundant life, accept the invitation of the Lord Jesus. Today, you can have both peace with God and the peace of God.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.

30 "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

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