Why did Jesus die? (Rather than just serve a life sentence, or even an ASBO?)?

Question

I know the Bible says that Jesus died to save our sins. But why did he have to *die*?

Answer 1

under the mosaic law, jews were required to sacrifice animals and the blood was to atone for their sins (leviticus 4:4-7, 13-18, 22-30, 16:11-16)
however, the blood of animals only covered sins for a short while and sacrifices had to be made frequently. when Jesus came to earth, he was perfect. his blood could cover all sins once for all time (hebrews 9:11,12). this is for all people who will accept the truth about Him. those who do not accept Jesus as the only salvation, or those who sin unrepentantly will not receive the blessings of Jesus's shed blood.
without a perfect human dying, there could be no salvation. in the garden of eden, adam sinned and thus every man, woman and child decended from him will inherit sin (romans 5:12). using the biblical principle of an eye for an eye etc(deuteronomy 19:21), a perfect life must be given for a perfect life. therefore, the perfection adam lost for mankind, Jesus bought back with his life.

Answer 2

In addition to what "Zeke" said, if God simply forgave sin with no penalty, then that would imply that sin was no big deal (thus encouraging more sin).

God pronounced that the penalty for sin was death, in order to show how serious God thinks that sin is. God's sense of justice requires a blood sacrifice to impress upon us how much God hates evil. Grace is not simply a get out of Hell free card. It cost God dearly.

Besides, how else could Jesus show how much that he loved us, other than dying for us ("No greater love hath a man than this, to lay down his life for his friends" ~Jesus). A rather dramatic demonstration of self denial, now wasn't it?

Answer 3

Umm Jesus as in Jesus Christ?
he died to save mankind

Answer 4

If He died to save us from "sin", boy did something go drastically wrong. Not to panic, He got a reprieve, remember. He knew it was only a "pretend" death, and that he would come back after 3 days and rule for eternity. Seems like an OK deal to me.

Answer 5

He had to die so that the power of His sacrifice would be felt throughout eternity. The bulls and other animals that were being sacrificed for sin and various other atonements were to be cared for and loved, but couldn't reason for themselves, nor give themselves WILLINGLY for their master's sins. So THE MASTER clothed HIMSELF in flesh and gave HIMSELF on behalf of His servants. I know it seems like quite a role reversal, but that's what makes it such a powerful statement of love towards a lowly creation such as man.

Answer 6

Jesus died to save you from sin. He died so you can have an eternal life with him in heaven. He died because he loves you. He died for you.*

Answer 7

As a political upstart, the sign above his head proclaiming the reason for his execution: "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews". The Jews didn't like it, but that's the only way the Romans could justify it, I suppose.
A Roman citizen (like St Paul) got the sword.
A sinner was stoned.
Jails back then were dungeons from which no one ever returned alive. (Or if they did, they were crippled from the torture and disease like typhoid)
Thieves had their hand cut off.

Answer 8

Think about it, how much drama can you get out of a life sentence? But if you send someone to die tragically in a dark festival of torture, shame, tears and pain... Ooh, so much better literature!

Answer 9

God has decreed that the penalty for sin is death therefore Jesus had to die.

Answer 10

God so love the world that he gave his only son, Jesus, and who ever believes in him shall not parish but have everlasting life. John 3:16