The death of Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God on the cross of calvary,is of great significance to all Christians.However,having the proper knowledge and understanding of this great event which took place over 2000 years ago,is what made it truely significant.
Many people find it hard to believe that someone had to die for them thus make joke out of it by referring it as one of those fantasy stories out there.Some say,"Why did He had to die for me? Was it really that necessary? What have I done to deserve a hero that had to give up His own life for someone like me-someone He doesn't even know? Beside,that was a long time ago a time I wasn't even born yet.So,how does that concern me?" Those who ask questions like this,do so in ignorance.They have no idea or personal knowledge of who Jesus Christ is and why He had to die.Can a hero die for no reason? So also,Christ who is much more than a hero,did not had to die for no reason.And unless we truely know why He had to die,we'll never value His death.But then,the question is
Why did Jesus had to die?
Was it because He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest here on earth? Was it because He wants us to have all the peace and security we ever needed here on earth? Was it because He wanted to do the hero thing? Was it because he wanted us to become Christians by name? Was it because He wanted to cause confusion here on earth? Was it because He wants to show how powerful He is? Was it because He wants us to enjoy all the blessings He showered upon us here on earth? Was it because He wants people to know what true sacrifice is? Was it because He wants us to be comfortable in this life? Was it because He wants us to be church goers? Was it because He wanted to show that He had power to forgive sin? Was it because He wanted us to continue sinning hence He guarantees us forgiveness if we ask for it? Was it because He wants to punish us by telling us to leave the sinful lifestyle that gives us much joy and satisfaction here on earth? Was it because He wants to form a religion of His own here on earth? Was it because He wants us to have the whole world to ourselves? Was it because He wants to make us great people here on earth? Was it because He wants us to be great singers in the church? Was it because He wants to create employment opportunities for people to get employed thus make money through the opening of churches?
Why did Jesus had to die?
No! It wasn't because of any of the reasons listed above.If it were because of it,His death will surely have no value because all those things will surely pass away.But instead,He had to die for the followings to be possible.
He died for our sins to be forgiven.In case you don't know,the world in which we live and everything in it has a maker which is God."In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." -Genesis 1:1.He also created human beings to be like Him "So God created human beings in his own image.In the image of God he created them: male and female he created them." -Genesis 1:27.Though God originally created us to be like Him,but the event that took place in Genesis 3,changed everything.Man sinned against God through the act of disobedience.
God clearly warned them saying they'll die if they disobey Him by eating that which He warned them not to eat.But hence they sin against God by disobeying His command,death crept in.Before God,man is dead having lost his original status.Ever since the fall of man in the garden of Eden,sin spread to all humanity.Even a baby in the mothers womb is no exception."For I was born a sinner-yes,from the moment my mother conceived me." -Psalm 51:5.How did this happen,"When Adam sinned,sin entered the world.Adam's sin brought death,so death spread to everyone,for everyone sinned." -Romans 5:12."for the wages of sin is death. . ." -Romans 6:23.For more on this,please visit this study,The Truth About Jesus.
Therefore,hence we have all sinned and as a result,lost our original true nature of Godlikeness,Jesus had to come into this evil world to take our place [the punishment for sin that we so richly deserve upon Himself] so that through Him,we would be made right with God."For God made Christ,who never sinned,to be the offering for our sins,so that we could be made right with God through Christ." -2 Corinthians 5:21.Jesus has done it all,but do benefit from what He has done,we must turn to Him to have our sins forgiven."There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." -Luke 24:47.
He died to restore us back to our maker [God]Sin has built a great wall that seperated us from God.We kept on sinning because it's the new nature we now bear,"It's your sins that have cut you off from God." -Isaiah 59:2.Though our sinful nature causes us to reject and rebel against God at all times,yet He loved us.And because our sinful nature would not allow us to turn back to God,He had to send His Son Jesus Christ to restore us back to Himself."It is all from God.He brought us back to Himself through Christ's death on the cross." -2 Corinthians 5:18.[NIRV]Therefore,through Christ's death on the cross,we have now been restored back to God only if we believe in the finished work of Christ Jesus.
He died so that we would live for Him.
"He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves.Instead,they will live for Christ,who died and was raised for them." -2 Corinthians 5:15.Jesus did not had to die,to take a second place in your life.He wants to be in charge of your life completely if sin must be defeited.You can only live for Him if He's the one incharge of your life or else,you'll keep battling with sin.A battle you'll never win on your own!
He died so that we may become the children of God.
"But to all who believe him and accepted him,He gave the right to become children of God. -John 1:12."For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:26.It's amazing to know that a person who was once an enemy of God,can now be called not a slave,friend,but a child of God.But this is only possible if one can only believe and accept Jesus by faith as his/her Lord and Savior.
He died so that we would remain in His love.
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.Remain in my love." -John 15:9.To remain in his love is to remain in him.And to stay away from his love is to stay away from him."In him there was life . . ." -John 1:4.We can have life only in Jesus Christ,and we must remain in Him to maintain it.Therefore any Christian who is not consistent in Christ,is living outside of His love.
He died so that we would have hope.
"Rejoice in our confident hope." -Romans 12:12.In Christ Jesus we have hope.It was his death on the cross that made it possible.In him,we are no more condemn."So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." -Romans 8:1.
He died so that our hearts would be fixed on the things of heaven.
"Think about the things of heaven,not the things of earth." -Colossians 3:2.We are not of this world,therefore whether the world smile or frowns at us,we should and must always remember to make heaven our top most priority.Therefore let's say no to earth and what ever it offers us,but yes to heaven for that's where we truely belong.But if we care more for the things of this world,it means we belong to it and heaven is surely not ours.
.He died that we may at last be with Him in heaven.
This is the most important place that no genuine Christian will ever want to miss.For if anyone misses heaven,that will be all.That person will be lost and forever seperated from the Lord."They will be punished with eternal destruction,forever seperated from the Lord and from his glorious power." -2 Thessalonians 1:9.
Now that you know,
Do you think Jesus' death on the cross was for nothing? He wants you to make it to Him. He said,"There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true.I am going there to prepare a place for you.After I go and prepare a place for you,,I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be were I am." -John 14:2-3.This was His promise and He wasn't joking when He made it.But to those who think it was a failed promise,or He was only joking,He said,"Yes,it will be 'business as usual' right up to the day when the Son of Man is reaveled." -Luke 17:30.[NLT]
Many will still not believe the message we are preaching now right up to the time that Jesus would return as He promised.It is a fact that many would miss heaven,but it would be a pity if you missed it having discovered why Jesus had to die on the cross for your sins.Commit yourself totally to Jesus now,and make His death on the cross for your sins count. l give your life a meaning. Click Here To like Us On Facebook and Here To Follow Us On Twitter