Wednesday, January 18, 2017
1 Corinthians 5:7 For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
GOD'S SERVANT SACRIFICED FOR US
Why, why did He have to die?
Was it all just a big misunderstanding?
NO.
Jesus' death was necessary because mankind's response to God's command ("You shall be Holy for I the Lord your God, am Holy") was one of indifference and rebellion. Ever since Adam's fall into sin, humankind's natural response to God's command to be holy and righteous is to disobey it in thought, word, and action.
God's mercy and compassion determined to save us. It was necessary, however, to satisfy God's justice. Therefore, Jesus' death was necessary to pay for the sins of men. And when I say men, I don't mean everyone else, I mean you and me.
Jesus death wasn't only necessary to pay for the sins we consider to be egregious-- theft, murder, adultery, abortion-- but also for those thoughts of lust or hatred. Jesus death was necessary for the times we have spoken evil of someone to make ourselves look better. Jesus had to die for the times we have been disobedient to our parents or have taken the name of the Lord in vain. His blood was shed on the cross to pay for my sins and yours. It was because of our sins that Jesus suffered and was crucified. On the cross, God vented his hatred of sin and unrighteousness on Him, Jesus died so that we might be saved through faith in Him.
For this reason, the Holy Spirit says in the epistle to the Hebrews, "He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15 NKJV).
