I’ve found that it can be very hard for people to accept and understand why Jesus, a perfect heavenly being, would give up his glory and position in heaven, knowing that his time on earth would end in suffering. To fully understand why Jesus died for us, we have to go back to the beginning of humanity; Adam and Eve. I'm sure you know the tale as old as time itself: the serpent tempted Eve, she shared the cursed fruit of life with Adam, and thus, an initially holy creation was stained with sin. This introduction of sin separates humanity from God: “But your wrongdoings have caused a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Isaiah 59:2. So how can our fallen nature of humanity regain our closeness to God that was lost so long ago?
Enter Jesus Christ. The only other man on this earth that was born perfect besides Adam, the only man capable of paying the cost of our salvation. One of God’s key qualities is his justice. I think Deuteronomy 19:21 sums up God’s law fairly well: “So you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.” According to God’s just law, the only way to redeem mankind from Adam’s sin is for another perfect man to take upon himself the cross of Adam’s sin. I think of it as the ultimate transaction: a perfect, sinless human life was sacrificed to atone for the sin of a fallen perfect human, Adam, and the resulting sin of all of mankind. Although this transaction is equal, that doesn't make it fair. A perfect man for a perfect man balances God’s scale of justice, but ultimately humanity isn't deservant of any redemption, so why was Jesus sent?
“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” 1 John 4:16. God’s unconditional love for us surpasses our undeserving situation. John 3:16 clearly states that “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” Jesus was sent because of God’s love.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus makes one thing very clear: his sacrifice is entirely voluntary. In John 10:17-18 Jesus says “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” Although God commanded him to partake of this sacrifice, Jesus was entirely willing to undergo this mission because He knew it would please His Father, and because He was willing to pay the price for our sins.
Some might ask, who did Jesus die for? Isaiah 49:6 prophecies about a Messiah, saying about him that “It is too small a thing for you [The Messiah] to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This prophecy essentially states that this Messiah will not only restore Israel (God’s chosen nation) from sin, but all of mankind. Through this Savior, we all have the chance to be restored to the former state of closeness to God that was once lost. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says that “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” The key word of this scripture is all. Nobody can escape death. Due to mankind's sinful nature inherited by Adam, we are all destined to death. Yet, Christ’s sacrifice means that all will have the opportunity to live again. Isn't that amazing? God loves you so much that He would give His only son for you and I!
- A Follower of Christ