What a question: Why did Jesus die? It seems an interesting twist on a familiar question. “For my sins,” the usual answer, feels too light for this weighty inquest; although sin is never light. A literal reply might also be out of place; “He died because we killed him.” You killed him and I killed him. I am convinced that we would kill him even faster now. I know he would never make it to thirty-three in today’s world. Hanging out with tax collectors and prostitutes… The very idea!
Back to the question… There are probably as many answers to this question as people to ask it. And how about those who couldn’t care less, the ones who believe He has no bearing on their modern lives? So, the simple and almost elementary question of “Why did Jesus die?” takes on shades and textures of meaning and investigation that do not at first meet the eye. Come along as I think this through and see where we end up…
I believe Jesus died to take my place. This is the substitutionary view, I think. Inborn sin plus my willful wrongdoing cannot ever stand in the presence of the Almighty. Jesus took my place and my punishment so that I would not be separated from God. The thought blows me away for a couple of reasons.
I’m a raggamuffin! I am. I am haughty and willful. I am stubborn and slow to learn a lesson. It’s like Paul says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15 NIV). I guess he was a raggamuffin too. Why did Jesus die? For an unworthy, repeat offender with a stubborn streak a mile wide, that’s me.
God’s willingness to rescue me, even in the midst of my wretched condition, is a picture of how he loves me. The lyrics to “You Love Me Anyway” by Sidewalk Prophets get me every time!
“I am the thorn in your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway”
Jesus died for me, not because I deserved his mercy, but because God had a rescue plan to save us from our sins. Jesus is that rescue plan.
Another aspect that blows my mind about Jesus taking my place is to wonder if I could ever do the same. Could I? Would I ever offer up one of my darling five nieces or nephews to pay the debt of the worst among us? Absolutely not! For the abuser, the murderer, the oppressor? Never! That’s what God did through Jesus dying on the cross. God gave his only son to pay sin’s cruel penalty: separation from God. I cannot fathom it but I believe it!
I believe that Jesus died for me. I believe Jesus died to take my place. I know I don’t deserve it; but I believe God sees me as clean and wholly worthy of his forgiveness and blessing. I believe I have eternal life, secured for me by God’s only Son. I am an imperfect human saved by Grace. Still under construction, God holds the master plan.
This I believe.