Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies” — it is a declaration of ADONAI — “so return, and live!”

Ezekiel 18:32 TLV

Picture this scene. You are standing outside your house watching it burn to the ground. A man runs up to you yelling that he is going to rescue your child that is still inside. You look confused because your child is right next to you. You yell at him to stop, but it’s too late. The man rushes inside. You watch as the building collapses. The man didn’t get out in time. You shake your head and say, “What a fool.”

Picture this scene. You are standing outside your house watching it burn to the ground. A man runs up to you yelling that he is going to rescue your child that is still inside. You start to panic because you notice that your child is not with you. You watch as the man runs in to rescue the one you love. A moment goes by and then your child comes charging out to you. You grab a hold of your child and look for the stranger. The building collapses with the man inside. You are saddened and grateful all at once. You think to yourself that you owe this man everything. That he would sacrifice his life for your child when you were helpless to do anything.

Why did Jesus have to die? This illustration was found in the book “Galatians for You” by Timothy Keller. It brings up a great point. If Jesus died and we were able to rescue ourselves, then there was no point. BUT if Jesus died because we were unable to rescue ourselves, then His sacrifice means everything. We are privileged to have a long history of God through the Old Testament by following His people Israel. God never took pleasure in punishing nor letting calamity happen. His goal was salvation and restoration. What the people of Israel did not know was that God had a plan to rescue all people. He knew that they could not do it on their own. They always turned back to their evil ways. It didn’t matter if God parted the red sea, if the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, or if three men could survive in a burning furnace. The people saw the wonders and then forgot or dismissed them all together. So He sent His only Son, Jesus. He came into the world, lived, and died. He is the One. He is the Savior. He came for ALL of us.

Listen to the Gospel my friends. Listen to the Good News of salvation.

For 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.” — John 3:16 TLV

The Gospel is God’s grace. That we, sinners, who have no place with God would through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross be one with the Father. The two stories above are written as an illustration to know that if Christ died and we could save ourselves by our good works, moral standings, accomplishments, or good nature then His death on the cross would have been meaningless. But the second is true. That we have no way of saving ourselves. All of our evil ways, good intentions turning wrong, selfishness, self-righteousness, and narcissism all disqualify us from a place in heaven with God. But NO. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself even though we didn’t plan on it or ask Him to so that we might live. Knowing this I owe Jesus everything. He died for me. He saved me when I could not. So I too share the Good News as a witness of what God did, is doing, and will do.

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God, You are the God of the universe! I see Your rescue plan. I see Jesus. I know what He did for me on the cross. I know that He saved me! I could not save myself with good works, morals, or possessions. Trust me I have tried. I accept Your grace with gladness and joy. I am Yours. Amen.

Be blessed and know that you are loved by YeHoVaH through Messiah Yeshua and the Ruach ha-Kodesh lives within you.