Why did Jesus die?

I'm not looking for long treatises here, rather I would simply like relatively short explanations of your perspective on what the cross was meant to accomplish.

In His Love,

Doug

and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
(2Cor 5:15 ESV)

To save his people from their sins(Matthew 1:21)

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10,11)

Brother, "Why" is a question that can address both the intent of God and/or the result obtained for man. (edit:"Why" must essentially be a statement of God's character and glory, and as such there are two ways to attempt such a depiction...by emphasizing the glory that is inherent in Himself, or seeing the exclusive glory that is inferred from His works. As David praised him, for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.)

I've always felt this scripture touches on both.

"For God so loved the world...that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

There are many, many other wonderful answers of course. Personally I feel the goal of agreeing upon one quintessential sentence here is simply much too confining to faithfully portray the character of God's heart, as well as the value and glory of the ressurection purchased for man, in what was perhaps the greatest visible demonstration of the Fathers divine nature in the history of the cosmos.

Still, the effort led to a wonderful meditation during my lunch hour, so I thank you!

Blessings,

MC

Compton says it well. The cross was the greatest demonstration of God's nature. His love, His mercy, His justice, His grace, His righteousness, His Holiness, His wrath, His wisdom and ultimately, to His glory.

I agree with roaringlamb!

Jesus died because of our sin.

In Christ,
Blake

*edit:

There are many reasons as outlined above why Jesus died. They are all true. However, it is essential for the gospel that we focus on this issue of sin because of how a person will respond. When a person realizes that Jesus died because of our sin, the only appropriate response is repentance.

In Acts 2, Peter preaches like this. He boldly tells the people that they have killed God's chosen Messiah. In response, they asked "What shall we do?" Then Peter says, "Repent and be baptized."

It is essential to the gospel people know the death of Jesus was because of OUR sin.

The reason I asked this question is that I believe there is an integral element missing from the overall perspective of what the gospel message is. It is something I so rarely hear mentioned or taught about.

[color=0000CC]Matthew 27:50-51 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;[/color]

[color=0000CC]Jhn 17:2-3 "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.[/color]

I find it of some interest that the word "know" is also used as a polite way of referencing the physical consumation of marriage, and that the marriage union is a type of our relationship to Jesus. Another word often used to politely refer to this physical union is "intimacy".

What I am essentially driving at is that I believe God desires to have [i]intimate[/i] personal fellowship with us. When we look at the gospel from this viewpoint, the scriptures begin to open up in an entirely different manner. Verse after verse begin to leap from the page.

It is my belief that this element of the gospel, and its lack of attention, is one reason our churches are so dead.

Just some things to think about.

In His Love,

Doug

PS: I'm not so much try to teach something here as to open this to discussion.

Very good Compliments, reminded of;

The Son of Man goes, as it has been written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born. Mat 26:24

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Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:13,14

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:8

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:15-18

... even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mat 20:28