Jesus apparently died for us, facing god's wrath in our place?

Question

Why did he have to do this? Why couldn't god forgive us anyway? Why does god - a perfect being - have negative, human-based emotions like anger and wrath?
Is not the whole concept absurd?

Answer 1

I think God might be slightly bi-polar. think about it. In the Old Testament he's all wrathful and punishing. (the flood, Soddam and Gamorrah, Israelites being forced to wander) and the presto chango Jesus comes along and he's all about love and forgiveness.

Answer 2

God couldn't just forgive us because he is perfect and he can't just live alongside imperfection. It would be like a person trying to live without blood in their bodies. One of the two things would have to go, either the person, or the lack of blood.

Also, God's anger and wrath are not negative heuristics. For instance, what if the law prohibited murder. I go out and kill someone (hypothetical) and the judge says "OK, you can just go on and live your life." The judgment is a consequence of the wrongdoing. We bring it upon ourselves, but Jesus stepped in front of the proverbial truck of God's wrath and took it for us on the cross. This is possibly the greatest mystery in all of history. That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

But the story doesn't end there. He rose again, proclaiming his victory over death, and giving us new life. Hallelujah!

Answer 3

Jesus did not face the "wrath of God". He died for our sins, but there was no wrath levied on him from God.

We can liken this event to raising children. Children are more likely to listen to a peer than an adult. Humans in general are much the same way. We are more likely to heed a peer we relate to than an authority figure. God gave us somebody who we could relate to in order to help us better understand. His sacrifice was required as evidence of who He really was and so that we could better understand how important we are to Him.

As for emotions, I have two points to make. First, a definition of wrath is retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement. A punishment need not have anything to do with emotion. Wrath can simply be a punishment that fits the deed regardless of emotion.

Second, who is to say that emotions are human-based? Genesis says that God created us in His image - like Him. Image does not refer only to how we look but more as a similar reproduction. We are not always in control of our emotions nor do we always understand our emotions. It is not our emotions that separate us from God but how we use those emotions.

Answer 4

It isn't about God's wrath. God is holy. He is a just God--just, as in full of justice. It is not just for sin to go unpunished. The punishment for sin is death. Sin cannot exist in the same place as holiness--darkness cannot exist in light. Jesus willingly paid that price for us. All we have to do is accept that gift.

By the way, anger and wrath are not necessarily bad. They are simply emotions. It's the way we choose to express these emotions that can be healthy or unhealthy, good or bad.

Answer 5

Jesus chose to do this because it is part of the plan of redemption that sin must be atoned for. There are eternal laws that govern and justice must be served or God cannot be God. Through belief in Jesus Christ and repentance one can obtain Mercy, which is a result of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So as long as one repents, mercy cannot rob justice. But if one does not repent justice must be served and the price for sin payed by the sinner.

God has these emotions but has mastered them. We have them but are learning how to use them righteously. Adam fell that men may be, men are that they might have joy.

There is opposition in all things. In order to learn the Knowledge of Good and Evil we must choose. Ultimately God has given us direction and safety by the consequences of our actions. If we choose acts of righteousness we are or will be blessed, if we choose acts of unrighteousness we suffer, or will suffer.

It is all fair and, it is not over yet.

Answer 6

if you find out the answer to this question you are probably dead. Jesus is the perfect character model, the template for all of mankind, if everyone were like him there would be peace on earth, but then there would probably be no reason in the rest of us being here.If you are struggling to understand what christians believe amid the hypocysy,confusion and misinformation read 'Mere Christianity' by C.S.Lewis - he makes the point in the book that their are some things beyond this world that we just cannot know or understand and that if you just ain't feelin' it(love) you just ain't feelin' it..good luck.

Answer 7

One does not question the ways of God. But to answer your question, He was angry because humans were sinning and disobeying Him and His Commandments. Jesus needed to be sacrificed to bridge us to God. He DID forgive us anyway.

The concept is not absurd if you understand it.

Answer 8

Yes it is absurd. That fairy tale is still around because people like bizarre and absurd stories. Many are somehow compelled to believe them.

I suspect it is related to the same facination people have in slowing down to look at a car wreck.

Answer 9

It is obvious that you do not know the Lord's plan-
HE does not have human based feelings, Jesus had, and God is loving, forgiving, mercyfull etc...
Let me ask you this question : HE is our Father, and if you are a parent, how unconditional is your love to your children?
Something to think about ?
God bless

Answer 10

Because the god that they refer to is a creation of human minds created to instill fear and force compliance with sheeple desires.

The entire concept is faulty, more proof of the deception that has long been perpetuated.