Why did Jesus die?, on: 2010/2/8 10:24 I struggled with understanding Jesus' death for a long time. It was just like a story to me. I didn't understand it and it had no real impact or meaning. I've found that many other people are more or less confused or in the dark when it comes to understanding why Jesus died for us. I'm just sharing some questions that I've found people don't always have answers to until they think it through or have it explained to them. Why did the Lord have to die for our sins? Why didn't God just forgive us without Jesus dying? Does God have the right to forgive people without a sacrifice? Did God want a sacrifice? Why would God want his son to die instead of sparing him the pain? Re: Why did Jesus die? - posted by Giggles (), on: 2010/2/8 10:40 Can I recommend 2 resources to help you? This (http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid12828&commentviewitemcomments) sermon by Paul Washer is a great walk through on all the questions you asked. Or there are some good articles found (http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/resources/articles) here. Look at the Cross o f Christ and Gospel 101. I'm sure others will have some great responses too, but these are good places to start. Re: Why did Jesus die? - posted by Logic, on: 2010/2/8 16:34 Why did the Lord have to die for our sins? This question comes because of the question Why didn't God just forgive us without Jesus dying? Because the shed blood of Jesus is God's justice. Heb. 9:22, "for without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin" In other words; without the clearing the Name of God or, if there is no Justice, there can be no giving up the punishment of a crime against Him (the crime being a defilement of His character which His law reveals). There are a few factors we need to look at. 1. God's law 2. Justice 3. Penalties for breaking the law Or Punishment for a crime against the law (which is actually apart of #2 Justice.) 4. The Atonement #1 God's Law: The law was added because of transgressions, it exists for the reason of making unlawful affections to be evidently unla wful. In other words, the law exists so that our unlawful affections would be evidently more wicked in contrast to the specific c ommands of the law (Romans 7:13). Page 1/5
The purpose of the law is to teach one of the character of the LawGiver also to guide us and to guard us while directing us to mercy of the LawGiver (Galatians 3:19,24). The law guides by showing us the boundary. The law guards us by the Justice of the law and by penalties of breaking the law. The law directs us by conviction of guilt that we may seek forgiveness. The law is not founded in mere randomness, but in the Personhood of God, it is a representation of who He is and a part of the foundation of reality It isn't really the law that needs to be proven valuable, but Who it serves and protects, which is God's character and His creation who is created in His likeness and in His image. #2 Justice The satisfaction of the law is called justice. Justice is the vindication of the offended, vengeance to be given or taken, a j ust retribution, recompense...etc.. Justice is meant to teach that whoever it serves and protects has personal worth; so if one is offended by a crime, or eve n commits a crime, he will be judged as someone who is worth equal to but not greater than the criminal, or the victim if being the criminal. In other words, Justice is to keep the establishment of both, the victim and the criminal as being equal in worth and in val ue. All mankind has a personal worth because we are made in the image of God; so also is everyone who sins. It is a fact that we are not equal to God, but we are shown that we are of as much worth as He is; this is proven by God giving His only begotten SON who is GOD Himself. We are not equal with God, but we are deem as such in value, what a revelation, praise HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #3 Punishment Punishment for a crime against the law is not for the purpose of rehabilitation, but to satisfy the law. Punishment for transgression against God's law, or the act of satisfying the law is used as a deterrent for crimes by law enforcement. In other words, the purpose of punishment or penalties is law enforcement. God enforced the law by punishing His Son so that all who put their faith in/on Him might be justified because they have reckoned themselves to be in Jesus' place as HE was in their place. We are to put ourselves in HIS position as to be united with him in the likeness of His death so that we shall be also in th e likeness of His resurrection (Roman 6:5) The punishment (the enforcement of the law) is to communicate to the sinner that God is not anyone to profane or defile in any way; He is holy & righteous. #4 Atonement Atonement (Substitutional Atonement) is giving God justice, in other words, it vindicates His Name; it shows us the true worth of God. It also satisfies the law (law enforcement) so that God is justified in forgiving those who put their faith in/on what Jesus h as said & done. Atonement is required for the reason of proving the true worth of God and His character while forgiving the offender of th e crime against Him. The atonement acknowledges the true value and worth of God by the One who is sacrificed on beh alf of the guilty. God must sacrifice something just as valuable, if not greater in actual worth as the crime and the one wh o offended Him. The sacrifice must also be of equal severity as to the offence of the crime committed; the punishment m ust fit the crime. Page 2/5
The only person able to atone for the damage that is done to God's name must be equally great as God, not only in wort h but in all aspects to God whom we offended (not just deemed as valuable as mankind is). The one who makes atonement cannot be a mere mortal, for then he would only be able to atone for just one man (Gen 9:5-6, Exodus 21:12-14, Lev 24:17, Numbers 35:31, Deut 19:11-12). Furthermore, he must be eternal so that He may atone for all (Hebrews 9:14). Therefore, it must be God Himself in the likeness of "sinful flesh" who must make atonement (Roman 8:3); for Jesus is th e only one who has satisfied the Father, even until the cross, therefore, only He can satisfy Him on the cross. The one being atoned for must change in order for him to be forgiven. He must first meet the set conditions in order for t he atonement to be applied for the forgiveness; these requirements (or set conditions ) are faith in what Christ has said & done and repentance to prove the faith to be real and genuine. This proves that the one being atoned f or understands the true value of the one who is forgiving and that he cannot take this whole thing lightly. If one refuses to acknowledge the true value and worth of God and refuses to meet the set conditions in order to be forg iven; if he takes lightly all that God has said and done to forgive, he cannot be forgiven.(matthew 18:23-35, John 15:8) The atonement is an influence on one s heart/soul. The selfless, loving sacrifice on our account is to break the h eart of the sinner and cause him to acknowledge his sin and the judgment of his sin. A revelation of the suffering of Chri st should break and subdue ones heart and bring him to complete surrender to God. The atonement should so affect our hearts that we turn from our disobedience in humble, sincere, and deep repentance, repenting out of a motive of love, re morse, and sincerity (1 John. 4:19). God is drawing all men to Himself through the atonement (John. 12:32), and it is His loving kindness which draws us (Jer.31:3; Rom. 2:4). The Atonement transforms and liberates through reciprocation, wh en men obey the gospel of Jesus Christ from the heart because God was loving them all along, from the beginning. Substitutional Atonement satisfies the law &/or justice so that God is justified in forgiving those who put their faith in/on w hat Jesus has said & done. However, there is no possible way that anyone to have a substitute for punishment of a crime such as murder in a moral government judicial system as we have in society which reflect the government of God; For example, a father could nev er take a son's place in his execution for murder. Furthermore, a King could never let a law breaker go free as in the case of Daniel and the lion's den. However, Jesus di d take our place in judgment through His sacrifice that He might satisfy the law as our proxy. He could do this because si n is only against God personally and not against a moral governmental judicial system. Does God have the right to forgive people without a sacrifice? Yes. But that would be disastorous. Did God want a sacrifice? Not realy. He Actually wanted mankind to never sin, which would give no need for the sacrifice of Chrst. However, since we did & do sin, it was nessesary. It is what He used to vindicate His name. Why would God want his son to die instead of sparing him the pain? Love! Page 3/5
Re: - posted by bible4life (), on: 2010/2/8 20:38 giggles great article by Paul Washer i just read the whole thing. He was imputed sin but him himself his character was n ot sinful. Paul Washer presents the gospel better than anyone that i know praise God. Thank you giggles. Re: - posted by bible4life (), on: 2010/2/11 13:41 I just thought about this Ben that God reacted to Jesus when he bore our sins the same way God would react to anythin g that was sinful, not to say Jesus Christ was sinful but he was imputed sin so God reacted as only a holy God could rea ct towards sin with wrath. We understand this was all in the foreordained plan of God though. John Csalvin put it good th at he not only suffered in his body otherwise he would only be the redeemer of our bodies but he suffered in the soul too. Re: - posted by Logic, on: 2010/2/11 15:11 bible4life said: not to say Jesus Christ was sinful but he was imputed sin so God reacted as only a holy God could react towards sin with wrath. Just to clarify things here; the word "impute" does not mean "transfer". it means to reckon. Just as I reckon my wife to be a nice person. I estimate my wife to be nice. I esteem, conclude, suppose her to be nice. I do not transfer nice to my wife. This is the same way that we are umputed as righteous. However, the Scriptures do not say that Jesus was reckoned a sinner, or even reckoned as sin. I know, some will give me Scripture to prove otherwise, however 2Co 5:21 tells us that Jesus was made a sin offering. Not that He was literally sin (which isn't even posible), but that He is the Lamb of God. The Lamb is a sin offering. Also: Jesus was made a curse for us (Gal 3:13). Not that he was a literal curse, but that He was cursed because "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree". Re: - posted by bible4life (), on: 2010/2/11 18:41 logic i am in agreement thank you. Re: Why did Jesus die?, on: 2010/2/11 21:50 I struggled with understanding Jesus' death for a long time. Jesus did not die, he was raised from the dead. It's the Ressurected Messiah Jesus we witness, alive IN US. Every sermon, every message, every witness we give should be what is called the "easter sermon", Raised from the dea d, fore death could not hold Him! Men saw this! but blessed are those who have not seen and BELIEVE, we carry His Life in our bodies, that mystery, Jes us IN US, the Hope of Glory. That Word is near you, confess this miracle, this gift of Faith that Jesus is the Risen Messia h, taking the sins from the world, taking sin off us, confess His Name and you will be saved. The Word is near you, the Kingdom of God is near you, and that is JOY, sweet and fragrant, Messiah Jesus rose from th e dead. Page 4/5
Proclaim it from the rooftops, in the streets, on the internet, in every hug you give...joy Joy!!! in every loaf of bread you break, It is His Body, in every cool drink of water, fore He is the Living Water. Deep calls to Deep my beloved brother...neil Re:, on: 2010/2/11 22:54 Hi Neil, I assume you just meant that Jesus did not REMAIN dead. I enjoyed your post. :) Page 5/5