They say that Jesus is perfect and didn't deserve to die. His death was for the sins of others. Well if I'm deserving of death, and Jesus isn't, then how does his dying not just cause even further injustice?
Can you imagine if someone killed someone, and they deserved to spend their life in jail - but instead of putting that person in jail - they instead put me in jail, since I had broken no laws? Now, not only has justice not been served, but there is further injustice!
How does the theology of Jesus' death as an atonement for sins make any sense at all?
Why is God satisfied with the terrible suffering and death of an innocent person?
2007-02-14 18:01:59 · 9 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In order to understand this you would first need to understand the concept of a perfectly holy and righteous being. Such a being would hate ALL sin and would be bound by the being's perfectly just nature to render judgment for the unjust. Just as we expect justice in this world, albeit imperfect at times, so does this being, God. Fortunately, a perfect being like God will render perfect justice, too.
So how is a perfect God's demand for justice for sin reconciled with our own imperfections introduced at the fall of mankind?
Here we find that God came up with a perfect solution that preserved his perfect nature. He became flesh, lived a perfect life, and acted as our representatives in God the Father's court of justice. There He was judged and crucified, carrying all the past and future world's sins with his crucifixion. God the Son, Christ, became our sin bearer and we need only acknowledge that sacrifice to be made "justified" in God's eyes and in God's demand for justice for sin.
Think of it this way. Your son does something like breaking a neighbor's window. Yet your son is too young to be made to pay for his crime. Society demands that the parent then act in the son's role and pay (atone) for these crimes. Likewise, God the Father allows God the Son to be humankind's atoning representative. Christ paid the price for us all; it is there in the justice bank of God. We need only claim our "share" of that account's balance and present ourselves to God.
I have simplified much of the doctrines behind these concepts. I suggest you do some careful study of the attributes of God to digest these hard sayings. Start with some basic introductions to theology, especially the attributes of a perfect being (God) and go from there.
2007-02-14 18:11:14 · answer #1 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not just any good man. He had to be God in the flesh. He was sinless. Perfect.
He voluntarily gave His life for those who weren't worthy. It wasn't taken but He laid it down. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him at any time. He preferred to finish the work He came to do. When a new covenant is made, the death of the testator brings that into force. Jesus suffering made Him understand the feelings of our infirmaties so that He could be a perfect High Priest for us unto God. The former priests could not do that. Justice called and mercy answered. He stayed on the cross out of love for our souls. God wanted men to be redeemed. So, He gave a part of Himself, Jesus, the most precious thing He had, to us, to redeem us (buy us back), reconcile us back to His Holiness. He created us to be holy and to have fellowship with Him and share in His riches in glory. What a marvelous plan this is! There's so much more to it than a few lines can tell.
The greatest injustice is only those who refuse this free gift of God through Jesus Christ and the precious blood He shed on Calvary. When God sees the blood, there is no more sins in His eyes. They are gone! Blood atonement is the only way to cover sins. This blood completely washes them whiter than snow. This blood never loses it power. This blood makes demons tremble. Innocent lambs died to satisfy the sin debts of mankind prior to the cross. Jesus became the High Priest, the Chief Shepherd, the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world, The Chief Cornerstone of the temple, everything we needed all in one place to be able to fellowship with God because He loves us so much.
Won't you believe on Him today friends? God is just and those who have crucified Jesus literally and spiritually (if you persecute His people, you've persecuted Him) and one day they will have their reward. Much better to say "I believe. Help mine unbelief" while there is time.
2007-02-15 03:15:49 · answer #2 · answered by Lovin' Mary's Lamb 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Justified- Just if I'd never sinned
God loved mankind enough that he had to make a way for them to enter into his presence. The only way for that to happen was to remove their sin, by a blood sacrifice. Jesus' perfect blood that he shed was acceptable to cover our sins so we can be justified. Therefore, accepting this sacrifice, we can have access to being in God's presence. That is where grace and mercy come in. I would gladly be put away in prision for someone I loved to have eternal life, even when they don't deserve it.
2007-02-15 02:11:22 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Momma 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Jesus is God in the flesh, God came down from Heaven, Himself to take our place for the sins that we have committed.
God does not allow sin into Heaven. Therefore, our sins must be taken away from us in order for us to go there.
The purpose of Jesus being sent to the earth was to die as the sacrifice for those who accept Him as Their Lord and Savior. They must accept Him as God's only begotten Son and, repent (turn away from) of their sins.
Because of Jesus being beaten (His stripes) we are healed. Because of His death we are forgiven and free.
Now, the story doesn't end there. Jesus is not dead. God raised Him. He is well and happy in Heaven with God. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Holy Spirit raised Him and will also raise us to eternal life, if we belong to Jesus.
P.S. Jesus didn't just take a mini vacation from life. He was tortured and then He was completely separated from God. God had to turn His back on Jesus because as the Bible says, Jesus became sin. Christians will never have to suffer being completely separated from God. That is the most horrific thing I can imagine.
2007-02-15 02:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm no expert, but my understanding and belief is that the death of Jesus was part of God's plan & the Romas were threatened by him because masses were starting to listen and follow him.
2007-02-15 02:10:35 · answer #5 · answered by jimmyjohn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't make sense to me either but it's fits with the Old Testament tradition of sacrificing animals and produce to atone for sin.
2007-02-15 02:08:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question. You will get a lot of answers about how he was a willing sacrifice so that made it all okay. But consider this: was it really a sacrifice when he knew he'd just be coming back in a few days? How much effort was it really on his part when he knew that nothing bad was really going to happen? I'd be much more impressed if he had really stayed dead instead of just taking a mini vacation from life.
2007-02-15 02:08:48 · answer #7 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
His death was a final sacrafice so we wouldn't have to keep offering up burnt offerings thru a priest and now we can be personal.
I thought everyone knew that.
2007-02-15 02:07:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't.... it's a myth that is the result of people who have to create more elaborate lies to explain previous lies.
What a tangled web they weave, when they practice to deceive.
2007-02-15 02:07:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋