Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross? John 19:30

"It is finished" are the last words of Jesus Christ when He gave up His life on the cross for you and me that we might have eternal life.  Why did He have to die?  Was there any other way to purchase salvation for sin?  The answer is no.  There was no other way.  Romans 6:23 lets us know that the wages of sin is death.  Originally, when the Lord created all the universe in 6 days, everything was created perfect (Genesis 1:1-31) including humanity.  But when Adam sinned against an all loving, all holy God, he brought death to all (Romans 5:12).  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the last Adam ( 1 Corinthians 15:45), had to die so that once for all He could pay for our sin against a Holy and Eternal God.

The Cross was the reason why Jesus Christ came into the world:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.      Isaiah 53:5-12

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Philippians 2:5-8

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Galatians 3:13

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Ephesians 2:16

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself. Colossians 1:20

Jesus Christ died for your sins according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) so that you do not have to suffer the wages of your sin.   You and I should have been on that cross because we are the ones who sinned against God.  But God, being rich in love and mercy, instead sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8)  to take your place. God's love for you is certain because He sent Jesus Christ, His sinless Son, to the cross!

What is wonderful is that when Christ stated "It is finished" He completed the Father's will.  Redemption for your sin was completed.  The judgment of your sin was fully paid!  The love of God was fully completed.

Jesus Christ rose the third day from the dead (Luke 24: 1-43; 1 Cor. 15:4-8), bringing eternal life to all who trust in Him (John 6:40; John 11:25; Rom. 4:25; Rom. 10:9).  Because Jesus Christ is alive today, you too can also be alive from sin, having the promise of eternal life.  You can now experience the love of God first hand by believing in Jesus Christ, that He died for you, and rose physically from the dead the third day according to the Scriptures.  The question is do you have eternal life in Christ today? Do you know personally God's love for you?  Do you know that your sins can now be forever forgiven?  It is possible to know right now:

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26

Do you believe?  I do.  I believe and I know my sins are forever forgiven.  I know I have eternal life because I know my Savior is alive.  You can know to.  Ask Jesus now to forgive you of your sin, confess to Him in thanksgiving that He died in your place on the cross, that He rose the third day from the grave.

I found a couple of sermons (one I heard in person in 1994) from Dr. Bob Jones Jr. who went home to be with the Lord in November 1997.  Dr. Bob Jones Jr. is alive now with the Savior.  If you turn to Christ today, you too can be with him and me in heaven, rejoicing in the wonderful greatness of the Lord.

"Sitting Down They Watched Him" Matthew 27: 33-36 Dr. Bob Jones Jr.

"Joyous Account: Resurrection" Luke 23-24, Dr. Bob Jones Jr.

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed.

Rev. Steve