Why Jesus Had to Die on the Cross: Unveiling the Deep Meaning Behind His Sacrifice for Our Sins
Understanding why Jesus Christ had to die on the cross involves a deep dive into the concept of sin, its consequences, and how atonement has evolved from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Let’s explore these themes to understand the profound significance of Christ’s sacrifice.
What Is Sin?
Sin is a fundamental concept in Christianity, rooted in the Hebrew word khata, which means “to fail” or “miss the goal.” Sin, therefore, is not just about committing immoral acts; it’s about failing to live up to God's standard, which is to love Him fully and to love others as ourselves.
When we fail to love God above all else or to love our neighbors, we are sinning—we are missing the goal God has set for us. Sometimes, this failure is so ingrained in us that we don't even realize we're falling short. For example, in the Old Testament, Pharaoh thought he was doing good by building Egypt's economy and securing national security, even though it involved enslaving the Israelites. He was self-deceived, believing his actions were justified. Similarly, King Saul believed he was pursuing justice by trying to kill David, only to later realize that he was the one in the wrong.
Sin is not just about breaking moral codes; it is deeply rooted in our desires and selfish urges. It compels us to act in ways that benefit ourselves at the expense of others. We deceive ourselves, spinning illusions to make our wrong decisions seem right, aligning ourselves against God and His will.
The Nature of Sin According to the Bible
The Bible gives various descriptions of sin. In 1 John 3:4, it says, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." This tells us that sin is a violation of God's will as revealed in Scripture, which includes acts like stealing, adultery, and other forms of immorality.
Sin is also described as rebellion against God. Deuteronomy 9:7 reminds the Israelites of how they constantly rebelled against God during their time in the wilderness. Rebellion is a direct challenge to God's authority and a refusal to submit to His will. Joshua 1:18 reinforces this by stating that rebellion against God’s word is punishable by death. Sin, therefore, is not just a matter of wrongdoing but a defiance of divine authority.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes sin as a force that enslaves humans. In Romans 7:15, he says, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do." This illustrates how sin controls us, making us act against our better judgment and even our own desires.
Sinful Humanity and Its Consequences
The Bible is clear that all of humanity is affected by sin. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This universal condition of sin separates us from God, darkens our understanding, and hardens our hearts, as described in Ephesians 4:18. Because of sin, we are spiritually dead and cut off from the life of God.
James 4:17 further elaborates on sin by stating, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." This means that sin isn't just about doing wrong; it's also about failing to do what's right when we know we should.
The Seven Things Detestable to God
To further understand sin, there are also behaviors and attitudes that are considered sinful and detestable to God. In Proverbs 6:16-19, we are shown the following:
Haughty Eyes: Arrogance and pride that elevate oneself above others and God. Pride is often seen as the root of many other sins because it leads to unjust behavior and a lack of humility.
A Lying Tongue: Dishonesty and deception that undermine trust and cause harm.
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood: Actions that cause harm to those who do not deserve it, including murder and violence.
A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes: Premeditated evil and corruption of the heart.
Feet That Are Quick to Rush into Evil: Eagerness to engage in sinful behavior, reflecting a deliberate choice to embrace sin.
A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies: Giving false testimony, which corrupts justice and harms reputations.
A Person Who Stirs Up Conflict in the Community: Causing division and strife within communities.
These behaviors reflect attitudes and actions deeply destructive to individuals and communities. They stem from a heart far from God and are contrary to the qualities He desires, such as humility, truthfulness, justice, righteousness, and peace. Sin only creates a barrier between humanity and the kingdom of God and we are reminded with these verses from the New Testament:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’
The Origin of Sin: A Tale of Disobedience
The story of sin begins in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of disobedience is known as the original sin, and it had far-reaching consequences for all of humanity. From that point on, every human being has been born into sin.
The first sin, however, predates even Adam and Eve. It occurred when Satan, once a high-ranking angel, rebelled against God out of pride. He wanted to be like God, to be worshipped and served rather than to serve. This pride led to his fall and set the stage for the corruption that would spread throughout creation.
Since the fall, humanity has been corrupt, and this corruption is progressive. Just as a piece of fruit left to rot will eventually become entirely rotten, so too does sin continue to corrupt human behavior until it is completely rotten. This corruption is irreversible by human means. We cannot undo the effects of sin on our own.
God's Solution: A New Creation
The decline in human character is a matter of corruption. Since man fell into sin he has been corrupt and corruption is something that progresses. Once something is corrupted, it cannot be saved as it will only be a matter of time before it is completely consumed.
In the natural world, you can take a fresh, ripe fruit and you don’t have to do anything to it, but because beneath the surface corruption is already at work, it will only be a matter of time before that fruit is totally rotten. So goes the same for human behavior.
The Bible warns us of three corrupting forces: the love of self, the love of money, and the love of pleasure. These forces drive much of sinful behavior. For example, 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." It's not money itself that is evil, but the excessive desire for it.
Rather than attempting to reverse the process of corruption, God's answer is to create something entirely new. Through Jesus Christ, God offers us a way out of our sinful state, not by improving or reforming our old selves, but by making us new creations in Him. This transformation is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who took upon Himself the sins of the world, offering us redemption and the opportunity to be reconciled with God.
How Can We Atone for Our Sins?
In order to fully understand this question, we need to define atone, which means to make amends or reparation. So, in other words, the question is how can we make amends for our sins? The answer is twofold, illustrating how believers atoned for their sins in both the Old and New Testament.
Atonement Through Blood Sacrifices in the Old Testament
The standard of perfection is required to enter into heaven and because of man’s sinful nature, each man must atone for their sins. In the Old Testament, before Christ came, animal sacrifices were the primary means by which sins were atoned for under the Old Covenant as blood sacrifices were required to atone for sins. The sacrifice would transfer sin from the sinner to the animal and the shedding of the animal’s blood symbolized the payment for sin.
Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the alter; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
Jeremiah 17:1 Blood smeared on the horns of an altar transfers sin away from the sinner to the sanctuary.
Note: This is why Christians are not to eat blood.
Leviticus 17:10 And I will turn my face against anyone, whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among you, who eats blood in any form. I will excommunicate him from his people.
This system of sacrifices, rituals, and observances was central to the covenant between God and the Israelites in the Old Testament. Burnt offerings were offered to atone for general sins and were wholly consumed by fire as an offering to God. Sin offerings were a specific type of animal sacrifice made for particular sins committed by individuals or the community. Guilt offerings were another type of animal sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sins that required restitution, such as defrauding another person.
Yom Kippur aka The Day of Atonement was the most significant annual event for the atonement of the sins of the entire nation of Israel. It was a solemn day of fasting, repentance, and sacrifice. This would include high priests entering the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people. Two goats were used, one as a sin offering, and the other known as the scapegoat, had the sins of the people symbolically placed on it and was then sent into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin. The word scapegoat we use today originates from this ritual.
Leviticus 16:21-22 And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.
The Law of Moses contained various commandments and instructions for daily living, covering moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of life. Obedience to these laws was a way to maintain holiness and avoid sin. While sacrifices were central, repentance and confession were also important in the process of atonement. Individuals were expected to recognize their sins, confess them, and make restitution where necessary. When someone wronged another person, they were required to make amends, often by returning what was taken or paying compensation. Today we are still encouraged to pray and confess our sins to God, seeking His forgiveness.
If Jews don’t believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, do they still sacrifice animals today?
No, modern day Jews, although still waiting for the Messiah, do not sacrifice animals. The practice of animal sacrifice ended with the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Jewish sacrificial system was closely tied to the Temple in Jerusalem, where sacrifices were offered according to the laws given in the Torah. When the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD, the sacrificial system effectively ended because the Temple was the only place where these offerings were permitted according to Jewish law.
How do modern day Jews atone for their sins?
Since then, Judaism underwent significant changes and shifted the focus from sacrifices to prayer, study of the Torah, and good deeds (mitzvot). In the absence of the Temple, Jewish thought evolved to interpret the sacrificial laws in a more symbolic or spiritual sense. Acts of charity, repentance, and prayer are often viewed as equivalent to sacrifices. The focus is on ethical behavior, spiritual devotion, and adherence to the commandments (mitzvot).
The Ultimate Atonement Through Jesus Christ
In the New Testament, atonement takes on a new dimension with Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. This sacrifice is seen as the ultimate and final atonement for sin, creating a new covenant between God and humanity. Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood for all of us. Remember in Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Every single drop of His blood covers for all the sins of mankind. Not only did this ultimate sacrifice happen, but three days later he rose from the dead, conquering death once and for all.
In other words, Jesus' death on the cross absorbed the punishment that we deserved. This brings us to the concept of propitiation which is central to understanding why Jesus had to die. Propitiation means to appease or satisfy the wrath of God, thereby restoring a favorable relationship between God and humanity. Romans 3:25 tells us that God “put forward [Jesus] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Jesus’ sacrifice satisfied the demands of God's justice and turned away His wrath from us. Through Jesus' propitiatory sacrifice, believers are reconciled to God and can now enjoy peace with Him.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Humanity now has the luxury to just pray and place their faith in Jesus Christ, who atoned for sin through His death and resurrection. This involves repentance, confession of sins, receiving God’s grace, and living a life of obedience and holiness. Atonement is ultimately a gift of God’s grace, not something that can be earned by human effort.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Romans 3:23-25 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
1 John 2:2 He is propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
We all need to praise God that we are part of the New Covenant and through our faith in Jesus Christ we can atone for our sins. Gone are the days of animal sacrifices as Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate payment for sin. Now we just come to God in prayer and repent, confess and receive His grace.
Hebrews 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
The necessity of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins is rooted in the profound understanding of sin, its consequences, and the evolution of atonement from Old Testament sacrifices to the New Testament’s ultimate sacrifice. While the Old Testament established a system of sacrifices for atonement, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection provide the final and perfect solution to humanity’s sin problem. Through His sacrifice, we are offered forgiveness, redemption, and a restored relationship with God, transforming our approach to sin and atonement forever.
As believers, we are called to live in the light of this truth, constantly growing in our relationship with God, and striving to become the best versions of ourselves with His Spirit dwelling in us. The cross is a reminder of God’s incredible love for us and the lengths He went to bring us back into fellowship with Him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.