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[dtr98]

Why Did Jesus Need to Die?

Today's reading: Matthew 17:22-23

The paradox found in the Gospels gets as quizzical as it possibly can in Matthew 17:22-23. God was going to save the world through the death of his Son. God, in his divine nature, doesn't die. So how was God going to get this done? How was God going to be the Savior of the human race? He had to come to Earth as a human being to accomplish that task. And Jesus was the one to do it.

Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 that he "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This is either the highest form of megalomania or it's an example of somebody who really believes, as he said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). It was as if Jesus was saying, "I have the authority to speak for the Father; I have the power to act for the Father; if you reject me, you've rejected the Father."

Even if you eliminated the Gospel of John and just read the Synoptic Gospels, this would still be the conclusion you would come to. And it is the conclusion that Jesus would have led us to if we had a Bible study and asked him this question. An astute Bible reader needs to ask, "Why is there no other first-century Jew who has millions of followers today? Why isn't there a John the Baptist movement? Why, of all first-century figures, including the Roman emperors, is Jesus still worshiped today, while the others have crumbled into the dust of history?" It's because this Jesus-the historical Jesus-is also the living Lord. He's still around, while the others are long gone.

[IronInsanity]

Romans also takes about why Jesus had to die on the cross for us. One aspect many don't take into account is that Jesus died on the cross to vindicate the righteousness of God. He had allowed sin to be atoned for (covered but not removed) by the blood of bulls and goats under the old covenant... essentially winking at sin. Jesus bore the full wrath of God for sin on the cross as our propitiation. This was the only way that God could be both Just AND the Justifier of those who believe.

Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.