Really, why did jesus have to die?

Question

I have never understood this. Why would god have to send his "son" so that he could forgive our sins? He is all powerful and all knowing, why couldn't we just pray to him before that and have our sins forgiven? Why did we have to give him sacrifices? Really, why could he just not say ok suzy, you are forgiven now, instead he has to be all melodramatic and have his "son" die on a wood cross.

oh, and my name isn't suzy or lucy or whatever, it was just an example.

Answer 1

That's what happens when you don't get a good lawyer.

Answer 2

MUCH MORE was involved in the situation,
than just mankind's length & quality of life...

God's right to Universal Sovereignty had been publicly challenged, and the many questions this raised really had to be addressed (to have done otherwise, would have proven him unfit*):

Does God really know what he's doing?
Is it true that anyone breaking away from his principles will fail?
Can creatures who remain totally loyal to him actually live happy, fulfilling lives?
Is God REALLY the best one to govern all of creation?

These questions had to be answered, and not just in word or thought. The answers had to be demonstrated. Otherwise, there would be the possibility --or probability-- that doubts would remain in the minds of some, and that would lead to big problems, sooner or later. So, God saw fit to 'get it over with', instead of trying to put off the inevitable.

By allowing all that has transpired, God is setting a precedent for all time, of how to deal with troublemakers. They (including any possible new ones) will be dealt with swiftly, once everything is finally set!

This is all explained --in much better detail-- in the following on-line articles, (they contain Scripture-links, as well):

Answer 3

Because merely saying, "I forgive you" does not change someone. Imagine if a murderer appeared before a judge and the judge just said, "Its okay, I pardon you", it would be as if the murderer has a license to kill anyone. But if I deserved punishment and someone took it in my place, I would be bound to honor that person. I would not spit in their face and continue engaging in a crime.

For instance I got in trouble with the law a while ago, and my family took on the burden and helped me. Because of that I do not want to put them in that position again, so I strive to be good. But if the judge merely said, "Its okay don't worry I will overlook this crime." then I would not have much incentive to continue being good, I could expect to only be forgiven for the next crime too. And the next one. And the next one.

Answer 4

Other than the wood cross (the direct translation) is actually the torture stake, and based on that roman records that Crusifiction on a Cross was not done for multiple executions especially, they used the Cruz Simplicus which has the hands/wrists over the head which raises the blood pressure until the person drowns in their own bodily fluids.

But the point of Jesus Christ having to die was to Buy back what Adam threw away. Perfection. Adamic sin is different from the choice to "just do your own thing." Adamic sin is in every man so we all die, but after passing through Armageddon when "men" will be declaired free of Adamic sin, then it comes down to personal choice to follow God's direction and live forever, or choose to do your "own thing" and disconnect yourself from the source of life, and eventually die... "He" (God) is not required to support people who do not want to worship him.

If you want to learn what the Bible teaches on many subjects go to www.watchtower.org and ask for the free book "What Does the Bible Really Teach?"

Answer 5

You don't look like you're looking for the Biblical explanation that many of these sheep are going to give you.

And quite honestly, the logical reason is beyond most Christians, too. We're lucky we have the Biblical reason, because we don't have to try to make sense of it.

But the answer that I usually throw out is this: God made a covenant, giving his word to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. The one solitary limitation on God's power is that he cannot break his word. So once he said something had to be done a certain way, it had to be done that way. I know it doesn't explain the perceived lack of foresight, but it helps understand the nature of God a bit.

Answer 6

God is all powerful and all knowing. And it was God's way to tell mankind to repent his sins, showing the supreme sacrifices made by Jesus: dying on the cross and forgiving the sins of God's people.

Answer 7

God is all knowing and knew man would sin.
God had a plan of salvation before he created us.
God is absolute righteous.
God could not in any way agree with sin as in overlooking it.
The penalty of sin is death.
It was always God's plan to be a savior to his people.
God is merciful.
God's intent is a perfect man.
God's plan was to bring man to his righteousness not to join man in man's sin.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God.
God came in the flesh ot overcome temptation as a man and to remain perfect and to overcome sin and death and pay the penalty of death for all who accept the atonement.

Answer 8

Would you honestly try to not sin if it was that easy? Come on, what keeps you from cheating, killing, stealing? Laws and jail time, losing your true love, etc. Really, what would stop anyone from sinning or at least trying not to if it were that easy?

Answer 9

According to the Quran Jesus peace be upon him did not die, the Quran tells us that some of the Israelites rejected Jesus, and conspired to kill him, but Allah (God) rescued Jesus and raised him to Himself. Allah will cause Jesus to descend again, at which time Jesus will confirm his true teachings and everyone will believe in him as he is and as the Qur'an teaches about him.

Jesus peace be upon him was a prophet who came to teach the same basic message which was taught by previous prophets from God—that we must shun every false god and worship only the one true God.

The Qur'an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by God's leave, and that he raised the dead by God's leave.

What then is the significance of these miracles? First, the virgin birth. God demonstrates his power to create in every way. God created everyone we know from a man and a woman. But how about Adam, on whom be peace? God created him from neither a man nor a woman. And Eve from only a man, but not a woman. And, finally, to complete the picture, God created Jesus from a woman, but not a man.

Check: http://discover.islamway.com/bindex.php?section=ls_articles&by=cat&id=21&lang=1

Answer 10

exactly, and that's what the Quran tells us. Why would God let Jesus die like that and what an embarresing death that would have been. God is a JUST God how can he send an innocent man to die for your and my sins ??? That would be saying that God is unjust. The idea of forgiving all our sins is really dangerious, it means that anyone can do whatever they want even if it means commiting murder, rape or just being unjust and countin on JESUS to pay for that. No, the Quran says that each one of us is responsible for our own sins, and God will not blame us for that over which we have no control, but he does ask us to not knowingly commit sins and he especially forbids us to blame the innocent for our sins. The Quran tells us that Jesus pleaded to his Lord to save him, just like we would, and of course God came to his aid. The Quran tells us that God did not let Jesus die on the cross but that he made it appear to them that Jesus had died, please research the flaws on this whole Jesus rising from the dead theory and you will realize how silly it is (ex- IN the bible after Jesus allegedlly rose from the dead he himself tells his followers that he is not dead, and that he is not a ghost, and he proves it to them by EATING a fruit --- again a spiritual body would not need food-- AND the bible says that a roman soldier came and struck Jesus and blood came Flowing from him, AFTER he'd been supposadly dead for a while, again how can that be when anyone who has a basic knowledge of medicine will tell you that after a maximum of 4 hours the blood thickens and cannot flow out of the body in the way described)

Answer 11

If you broke a lamp, the owner might forgive you, but the lamp would still need to be paid for. Since no one is perfect, we all have to have those sins paid for. Jesus came as man, but lived a perfect life, so He did have any sins to pay for. But He also came as God, infinite, so all the sins of the world could lie on Him when He died.