Why Did Jesus Go to the Cross? Unveiling the Purpose and Redemption

The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name lsquo;Yeshuarsquo; which signifies lsquo;to deliver / to rescuersquo;. In the Bible, God made several covenants with humanity, and the penalty for breaching these covenants was ldquo;deathrdquo;. Romans 6:23 highlights this, stating: ldquo;For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.rdquo;

According to Matthew 26:28, God took upon Himself the penalty for the violation of these covenants. This was part of a greater plan by which Jesus came from God the Father, suffering and dying as a redemptive death. John 5:23, 30, 36-37; John 17:23; John 8:42; John 16:28; John 6:44; John 3:16; and Isaiah 53 further describe this purpose. In John 1:29, it is written: ldquo;Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!rdquo; A similar declaration is found in 1 John 2:2, where it states that Jesus is the propitiation and atoning sacrifice for our sins, not only for us, but for the sins of the entire world.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we escape spiritual death, as He paid the price for all sins—past, present, and future. Romans 6:23 and its reference to the death in hell underscore that Jesus' sacrifice offers eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus and doing His will.

The Resurrection of Jesus and His Role as the Son of God

Jesus was unique in His incarnation, fully God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and fully man, born of Mary through the Virgin Birth, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:23 (Matthew 1:18: ldquo;This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary, his mother, was given to Joseph in marriage, but before he came to her for sexual relations, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.rdquo;

As the Lamb of God, Jesus chose the timing of His arrival in a time where the authorities used crucifixion as a method of execution. Being crucified on a hilltop, He became the most visible religious icon of all time. Crucifixion does not kill immediately as one can remain alive on a cross for some time, incapacitated. His cross signifies the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation, reflecting that we are crucified in the exchange for the part of us that deserves to be.

Understanding God's Purpose and Plan for Salvation

The word of God, as found in the Bible, is the starting point for understanding God's plan for humanity. The notion of the Bible containing scientific inaccuracies is unfounded. The Bible is a revelation of faith, not a scientific document. For example, Genesis 2:7 states: ldquo;Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.rdquo; While it may not be presented as a scientific fact, it is meant to convey a spiritual truth. This passage confirms that God created Adam from the dust of the earth, and this creation is a literal event.

Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden to have a choice, a decision. They had to be given an option to choose, otherwise, God would not be a loving God. Had Adam and Eve not chosen, but their children did, then salvation would be incomplete, and humanity could have faced numerous deaths as payment for multiple branches of sin. Their choice, although not holy, presented them with the reality of their actions and their responsibility for future generations.

The crucifixion of Jesus was ordained by God as the ultimate sacrifice. According to Isaiah 53, the description of the event was known to God long before it occurred, reflecting His sovereignty and foreknowledge. The crucifixion was not an act of violence but a fulfillment of the purpose intended by God. The Bible, therefore, is not a science book, but rather, a revelation of faith that describes the actions and purposes of God.

The Core of the Gospel and Universal Salvation

God created humans and angels to be individual persons capable of real, true love and worship. This creation was not a mere act of compulsion but a reflection of God's desire to connect with beings who could freely choose to love Him. Through Jesus' death on the cross, God provided a means for all humans to be reconciled to Him. Salvation is not about works but about faith. As it is written: ldquo;For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.rdquo; (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The gift of everlasting life in Heaven is a choice available to all, valid for all who choose to receive it. This is why Jesus came to earth, to die for you and me, so that we might live. No one is forced into Heaven or Hell; people go there by their own volition. If one genuinely believes and trusts in Jesus, they are saved, no works needed. Faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation.

Salvation is not dependent on water baptism, but on personal faith in the God who made the sacrifice. While water baptism is important and symbolizes the washing away of sins, it is not necessary for salvation. God's grace and mercy are sufficient for all, and He desires for all humans to live in eternal peace and harmony.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian belief, proving His divine authority and showing the world the power of God. Through His death on the cross, Jesus provided the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. By placing our faith in Him, we can find redemption and eternal life. This is why Jesus went to the cross— to offer salvation and bring us into a personal relationship with God.

Key Takeaways

Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to salvation. Jesus' death on the cross was a fulfillment of God's plan. Salvation is a gift of God, not earned through works.