Everyone who has heard about Jesus can agree on one thing: His death was by crucifixion on a cross. When Jesus Christ of Nazareth was in His early or mid-30s, He was arrested and killed. Many people have the question: Why would God have His Son die a brutal death? 

If God loved His Son as much as He claimed, why did Jesus have to die by crucifixion? There are three main points to understand in order to properly answer this question. His bloodshed, atonement and eternal life.

Jewish religious leaders sought to crucify Jesus because He threatened their political and religious authority. They tried him for blasphemy and for “challenging” the politics of the Romans.

After His arrest, Jesus carried His cross from the site of His trial to the site of His crucifixion. Upon arrival, He was nailed to the cross with a sign that read: “This is Jesus, king of the jews” and breathed His last breath after a brutal death.

Who Killed Jesus?

Pontius Pilate, governor of Judaea, presided over the trial of Jesus. However, he was reluctant because he found no real charges against Jesus, but felt pressure from the citizens and the other political leaders and ultimately approved the crucifixion. The Roman soldiers crucified Jesus while they mocked Him. 

Three days after His death, His tomb was empty. An angel appeared to the ones visiting His tomb, and soon after, Jesus Himself appeared. He was on earth for 40 days, visiting His disciples and over 500 people, commanding them to make disciples of all the nations.

Atonement is the reparation or repairing of a wrongdoing. Christ was an atonement for sin because He was the ultimate sacrifice. According to scripture, the price of sin is death. In the Old Testament, God’s law was that animal blood was the atonement for their sins and made them right with God again.

Because Jesus was perfect, He was a perfect sacrifice. He was “unblemished to God.” This means no other sacrifice was needed. Jesus fulfilled it all. He shed His blood and died in our place. If Jesus were not human, His sacrifice would have no meaning for us. Sin began through humans, and ended through humans. His sinless nature, plus His humanity, made Him perfect. A perfect sacrifice was the ultimate atonement.

God sending Jesus was proof that He loves us and He is merciful to us. How can we not worship Him? The birth and death of Jesus should transform the way we live because it reconciles us with God, giving us the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus’ sacrifice frees humanity from the bondage of sin and gives us hope in an eternity with God in heaven.

Jesus had to die to reconcile humanity to its creator. We no longer have to sacrifice to be right with God; Jesus’ blood and death were the price paid in our place. He demonstrated His love for us by taking the punishment for our sins — even as a perfect, undeserving person. His crucifixion is proof that He loves us so much that He came down and humbled Himself to humans so that He could die in our place.

Have you been worshipping God in your downtime or only when it is convenient for you? Take some time to reflect on how worthy He is of your love all the time. Not only is He kind and loving, but He also wants to know you and guide your life. Imagine the good He can do in your life if you invite Him in and live by His perfect word.