Why Did Jesus Die?

For years, we have tried to come up with all kinds of theological, and symbolical explanations for why Jesus had to die.

There is the "Ransom Theory" which suggests that mankind had been taken captive by the devil, and God gave His Son as a ransom to save us.

Or again, there is the "Sacrificial theory". In the Old Testament, it was believed that a lamb slain upon the altar would remove the worshiper's sins. When Jesus Christ came, He was the "Lamb of God" slain to cleanse us all from our sins. His blood "cleansed" us.

On and on, the theories have been added: The "Satisfaction Theory", the "Moral Influence" theory, the "Governmental theory", etc.

But when all is said and done, Jesus died, because some people are cowards...some people are greedy...some have been on an emotional binge, and are not accountable...and some have gotten a twisted understanding of right and wrong...and others just don't care to get involved.

The reasons go running in and out of our newspapers every day. The sins of Bible days, are the sins of our day. They are the sins of the Church, and the sins of the laity and the clergy.

Then, it was the sin of an apathetic, fun‑seeking crowd, and the sins of fanatic zealots, and the sins of cowardly friends and disciples, and the sins of twisted Judases.

And Jesus died to expose those sins...which are also my sins. And that's why I don't like to look at the cross, because when I do so, I see my own guilt. I discover that I helped in the crucifixion. I had something to do with driving in the nails. I helped to build the system that could not accept His way of life.

And when the chance came for me to proclaim Him Lord and King, there was so much selfishness and pride, that I too said, "His way won't work...its not practical...it is more expedient to let him die."

I've seen myself at the cross. Perhaps you are there too, with all the rest of us. I suppose we all helped to crucify our Lord. The least of all I can do now, is confess my sin, and love Him, and seek to be faithful.