Coach's Corner

What happens when we Pray?

Why did Jesus have to die?

“I had often heard my religious friends say, ‘Jesus died for our sins’ or ‘Jesus died to save the world.’ I could see how the good example of Jesus' actions might possibly influence some men and women to live better lives, but ... I certainly couldn't see how Jesus' death no matter how noble or unselfish, could possibly make up for all the evil in the world.

In my opinion, if God existed, He would either have a loving and forgiving nature or He would not. If He wasn't inclined to forgive men's shortcomings, I didn't see how Jesus' death could change His mind, and if God was a forgiving sort, I couldn't see why He would need a human sacrifice to prove it.”

– Alan Scholes

Did Jesus really have to die? Couldn’t God, in His infinite grace just have wiped the slate clean and said, “Don’t worry humanity – we’re good now. I know you’ve done some things you’re not proud of, so I’ll give you a fresh start. No questions asked.” I know that if God said that directly to me I’d take him up on His offer in a second. There are fumbled moments in my own life that I definitely wouldn’t mind having erased – probably something we can all relate to.

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis explains the penalty of regrettable offenses. The character, Edmund, has committed a bitterly selfish act that demands the penalty of his life. Incredibly, in a grace-full and self-sacrificial act, the Lion Aslan voluntarily dies in the boy’s place. But, why would Aslan agree to die for a treachery he did not commit? And why would Jesus do the same for all of humanity? Jesus, the Son of God, acts as a god who defines himself as Love – He lays down his life for his friends.

Maybe you’re saying, “But that’s not right!” And it’s true – Jesus did nothing wrong and yet he chose to die in our place for the wrong we did, and do, and will do. But that is not the end of the story. As Lewis explained, “when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, ... Death itself would start working backward.”

Lewis’ fiction is a reflection of the very real actions of Jesus Christ who, in his perfection, was a sacrifice that death could not hold. Perfection is not a claim that any other human can make, which makes Jesus the only one to ever walk the face of this earth that could pull this off. He came to seek out and save what was lost, and He is the only one who could ever qualify.

Why did Jesus have to die? Because without his intervention, our shortcomings would separate us from God forever, even after death. In His perfection, Jesus is the only one capable of shattering the rules altogether. And He’s on our side! Thank God for that.

Posted March 03, 2008