Christians: In your own words (not the Bible's) why did Jesus have to suffer crucifixion?

Answer 1

Wow. I just read all the above answers and I just have to say: I don't want Jesus to die for my sins, and I don't need to have his death on my behalf in any way. I think a belief in sacrafice for such reasons to be brutal, bizarre, and utterly useless. Such a belief even seems criminal to me.

I can appreciate the power of such a belief. I was once a Christian believer myself. But when I read others endorsement in their own words (and not a few of them somewhat confused as well), I am dismayed and disheartened. I think people should be able to move beyond nonsense like this and instead become responsible adults in their own lives. We do not need supernatural forgiveness for sins; what we need is real accountability in the real world now. We don't need pie-in-the-sky promises of an afterlife; we need to do our work and enjoy our families in the here-and-now.

I think I'll head back to where the atheists are now. The above string of answers just took the wind out of my sails for a moment. And please, Jesus, protect me from your followers, for I fear they know not what they do.

Answer 2

There is only one reason Jesus suffered on the cross. God had a purpose for Jesus, and that was to die for our sins so we could be granted everlasting life in the kingdom of Heaven, otherwise nobody in the world would go to Heaven...ever. God created us as perfect beings, but Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit because we were given free will. Therefore we sinned and were no longer perfect. At that time, no human being would be allowed entrance into the kingdom of Heaven, because we were sinners. Jesus was sent to die for our sins. God already knew what would happen, so there would have been no preventing it.

Answer 3

If you read through the Old Testament, God always required a sacrifice, shedding of blood, to atone for man's sin. Jesus came as the perfect sacrifice. He was God who came in the flesh to take the punishment for our sins. He suffered the punishment that we as humans deserve, because of his great love for us. He overcame death by rising again from the dead, and now there is no need to again shed blood for forgiveness of sins. We are called to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2). When we are baptized, we are participating in a representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 6) We go into the water our sinful self, and rise out of the water a new creation and completely forgiven.

His death, by the way, did not need to be specifically crucifixion. But it is interesting to note that prophets predicted many aspects of how Jesus lost his life many many years before, even down to the 30 pieces of silver that Judas betrayed him for.

Answer 4

All had sinned and God cannot accept any sinful man. So, a sacrifice had to be mad that was worthy of cleansing. It could not just be any sacrifice but it had to be a pure spotless sacrifice. This sacrifice was the pure spotless lamb of God, Jesus Christ. So, without Jesus crucifixion then no one could be saved.

The crucifixion was not just men killing Jesus but it was God bringing his wrath and placing sin on him who was sinless. This is every Christians' sacrifice that cleanses them white as snow. God was satisfied with the sacrifice and Christ conquered death with his resurrection.

Answer 5

Only Jesus could have done it. Jesus was sinless and a sacrifice for sin must be without blemish and pure. Normal man or woman cannot meet that criteria and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. It had to be Jesus' blood that was shed for me and you. John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Jesus was the Lamb sent to the slaughter for you and me. He took my sins and all my sicknesses, diseases and afflictions upon Himself on that Cross. Thank you Jesus!!!

Answer 6

Any sacrifice is not enough; a perfect sacrifice was needed in order to blot out sin so we could gain heaven and everlasting life.

We are created to be sacrificial; our sacrifices are pitiful because we are not perfect. However, just because Jesus died, does not mean we do not need to sacrifice something, such as a favorite food or treat, being nice to someone who's mean to us, sacrificing our time to help the needy, etc. These are not perfect, but will help us as we join our sacrifice to Jesus perfect one on the cross of calvary, and it will help us get out of ourselves and be more Christlike.

Answer 7

Because it was a part of God's plan from the beginning. Humanity was taken captive by the Devil, through Sin and a ransom had to be paid to win its release. Jesus was the ransom that God gladly paid.

Answer 8

My words... In order to conquer death.

If you want some very good reading, read The Inferno by Dante. It is the first of a trinity of books. And it gives Dante's interpretation of Jesus's trip through hell on his journey to the resurection. Even if you are not christian, it is worth the time to read.

Answer 9

Just so the world will witness His death. He could have died at Gethsemane when He took unto Himself all the inequities of Mankind. He sweat blood. Since He had all our sins at the time, and the wages of sin is death, He could have died there.He only lasted a few hours at the cross, but when pierced, blood and water came out, meaning He was already physically dead much earlier.

Answer 10

Because of God's love for us, God in the form of the human man Jesus, came to the earth to take our place in punishment by dieing Himself for the sins that you and I have committed and the death that we deserve. All of us are separated from God because of the sin nature that Adam and Eve caused us to inherit.

In order to receive this free gift of salvation, one must believe that Jesus sacrificed Himself and love Him enough to accept Him as their Lord and their Savior. Jesus' death in our place, brings us back into a personal relationship with God and His resurrection from that death, causes those who accept Him to live eternally with God.