Jump Start # 910

Acts 2:23 “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.”

A question that is often asked, kicked around, used for discussion in Bible classes is whether or not Jesus had to die on the cross. Did Jesus have to die for our sins? It must be a thing about human nature, because we are so often interested in the why’s and the how come’s of things. This is true of the subject of suffering. Why do we suffer and how come we suffer? This is true of the subject of death. Why do we die and how come we die? This is true of the subject of sin. Why do we sin? How come we sin? The question about Jesus dying follows this thinking. Did He have to die?

The chasing of these questions can be interesting but often it doesn’t change where we are. I often think too much time is spent on the why’s and how come’s and not enough on here we are and what are we going to do with it?

Did Jesus have to die for our sins? If He didn’t, we are all sunk. He is Heaven’s answer to our problem. He is the best of Heaven. Luke tells us that Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost, meaning us. That’s why He came. He didn’t come to see how the common folks live. He didn’t come to fulfill some dream of living like a human for a while. His mission was to save us. He didn’t come to save the whales, the environment, or some social cause. Jesus came and died for us, and us alone. Since the garden of Eden, when God declared that the head of the serpent would be crushed and the seed of woman would be bruised, the mission and plan of Jesus was revealed.

The prophet Isaiah declared, “the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief…” Our passage is from Peter’s sermon where he declared that Jesus was delivered by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. The arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus did not catch God off guard. It was all according to plan. There were numerous prophecies fulfilled in the death of Jesus. The Lord Himself used the expression, “I lay down My life.” The Jews and Romans killed Him, but it was according to God’s plan and God’s time table. If the timetable wasn’t right, they would not have been able to kill Jesus. He had escaped death before. He had many resources to do it again if necessary. He wasn’t fighting to save His life, instead, He welcomed death by laying down His life without resistance. He gave. He offered up Himself.

Can you imagine your world without Jesus coming to earth to save you? No sacrifice for your sins, which means, no forgiveness. No hope of Heaven. No access to the Father. No prayers heard. No perfect example to live by. No prodigal son story to offer us hope of coming home to God. No turning the cheek, no selfless servant to inspire us, no divine love that embraces us, no Heaven to motivate us. The world would be darker. Every funeral would be utter terror, knowing that the dear departed was thrust into Hell and nothing could be done to change that. Had Jesus not come, there would have been no apostles, no churches, no New Testament. Had He not come, much of the Old Testament would not have been written, because it points to a coming Messiah. Alone, what a terrible feeling. That would be our lot. The only blessing would be the death of a child. An innocent who died before sinning would be the only bright spot. Some would consider killing their children so that they would not sin and have a death and eternal sentence of Hell looming over them.

Did Jesus have to die? Yes, He did. He did, because God’s nature is that He loves us. Jesus’ death demonstrates that love. His death is the explanation point and proof that God loves us. He hasn’t left us alone. He hasn’t abandoned us. He hasn’t given up on us. Without Jesus dying, we’d question whether God loves us.

Now, there is one final thought we must include here. So often, with questions like these, we toss them about, study them, discuss them, and leave with facts in our heads but little in our hearts. What a shame that is. Yes, Jesus had to die for us.

Do you realize that most today are living as if Jesus never came. They live ignoring that divine example of love, service and mercy. They live only to self. They live ignoring God’s commands. The day will pass, and most will not even bow their heads once to God in prayer. Thousands of pages of writing will be read today, but the most important pages of all, God’s word, will remain tucked away in a night stand or forgotten in a church building or stuck on a shelf. Millions will laugh and snicker at silly stuff, chase meaningless dreams, while consumed with fear, worry, anger and doubt. For so many their ambition is getting more stuff. We are living among, working beside and journeying through this life with thousands who act as if Jesus never came. Their lives are dark, empty and without purpose. They think God owes them happiness. They expect blessings. When they die, they think they deserve Heaven. Why? They have ignored the coming of Jesus. Their lives do not show it, reflect it, nor teach it.

This sad reality ought to move the rest of us to share the story of Jesus. It ought to make us realize that the majority of the people I meet today, live as if Jesus never came. I need to be inviting more. I need to be telling more. I need to be moved to tell the old, old story of Jesus.

Did He have to come? Yes. Did He have to die? Yes. And in doing that, He offers you forgiveness, purpose, an example and Heaven. Will I be changed or will I ignore? That is a greater question to ask. That is one that needs to be explored, kicked around, debated and studied. Jesus came. Jesus died. What does that do for you? What does that do for me?

Roger