Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Understanding the Cross Through the Lens of Love and Justice
Have you ever asked:
Why would a loving God need a human sacrifice to forgive us?
This question comes up often by seekers, skeptics, and even Christians trying to understand the heart of God. The answer is both simple and powerful:
👉 Jesus didn’t die because God needed blood—He died because love needed a way to bring us home.
Let’s explore why the cross was necessary, and why it reveals the greatest act of love the world has ever known.
💔 Sin Separated Us From God
From the beginning, humanity was created to walk in close relationship with God. But sin—the rejection of God’s ways—broke that connection.
📖 Romans 3:23 tells us: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
And the result?
📖 Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death…”
Sin carries a cost. It creates spiritual death and separation from the One who gives life.
⚖️ God Is Just — But He’s Also Love
God is perfectly holy and just. He can’t overlook evil or pretend sin doesn’t matter. Justice must be served.
But God is also loving and merciful—He doesn’t want to punish us. He wants to save us. So what did He do?
He stepped in Himself.
📖 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”
Jesus came not to condemn, but to rescue.
✝️ Jesus Was Not a Victim—He Was the Volunteer
Let’s clear something up:
Jesus’ death wasn’t forced. He wasn’t a powerless man caught in a trap.
📖 John 10:18 – “No one takes My life from Me. I lay it down of My own accord.”
Jesus came to willingly take your place and mine. Not out of violence—but out of victory.
🐑 What About the Old Testament Sacrifices?
In the Old Testament, people offered animal sacrifices as a symbol of repentance and forgiveness. But those sacrifices were temporary and couldn’t fully take away sin.
📖 Hebrews 10:4 says: “The blood of bulls and goats can’t take away sins.”
Those rituals were just shadows pointing to something greater—Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would be the perfect sacrifice once and for all.
📖 Hebrews 10:10 – “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
💡 Why the Cross Was Necessary
The cross was where God’s justice and love met.
Sin had to be dealt with. But instead of punishing you, God punished Himself in the form of Jesus. This is called substitutionary atonement.
📖 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
That’s not wrath—that’s rescue.
🙌 The Cross Means You're Forgiven and Free
If you’ve ever felt unworthy of God’s love…
If you’ve ever wondered if your sins are too big to be forgiven…
Hear this truth today:
📖 Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus paid the price.
You are redeemed, restored, and reconciled to the Father.
📢 Say This Out Loud:
- Jesus died for me.
- I am forgiven and free.
- The cross proves God’s love for me.
🕊️ A Simple Prayer of Salvation
If you’ve never fully received what Jesus did for you, you can do it now:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus. I believe He died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and receive Your forgiveness. Jesus, come into my heart. Be my Lord and Savior.
I am Yours forever.
Amen.
Love Paid the Price!
The cross wasn’t about divine violence. It was about divine love.
God didn’t need a human sacrifice like pagan gods.
He gave Himself—willingly—to bring you back into relationship.
💬 You are loved. You are chosen. You are free.
If this message blessed you, share it with someone who needs to know:
Jesus died to bring them home.
📌 Follow Shekinah Voice Ministries for more faith-building messages.
By Pastor/ Chaplain Joseph J Jallah Jr | Shekinah Voice Ministries
📺 Watch The Shekinah Hour live every Tuesday & Thursday at 3PM CST / 8PM GMT.