Why did Jesus have to die?

We’ve all asked big questions in life. But here’s one that cuts right to the heart of Christianity:
Why did Jesus have to die?

If God is loving and powerful, why the cross? Why the suffering? Couldn’t He just forgive us?

Paul, in Romans 3, gives us the answer.

He says that everyone has sinned. We’ve all missed the mark—and no amount of trying harder can fix it. We can’t earn our way back to God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (v.23)

But then comes the turning point: “But now…”

Now, there’s a new way to be made right with God. Not by performance, but by faith in Jesus.

“But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed… the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (v.21–22)

And here’s what makes the cross so powerful:

Because of God’s mercy, He delayed payment.
For generations, God held back judgment. He was patient. But sin still needed to be dealt with.
Because of His justice, He demanded payment.
A good and holy God can’t ignore sin. Justice required a price.
Because of His grace, He made the payment Himself.
God sent Jesus to take our place—to absorb the cost, so we could be set free.

Jesus didn’t die because He lost a battle. He died to win us back.
The cross is where God’s mercy, justice, and grace all meet.

So, why did Jesus have to die?

Because sin had a cost.
Because you couldn’t pay it.
And because you are worth it.

You are why.

Why does Jesus’ death matter?

Have you ever felt stuck in something you thought you were free from? A gym membership…a jelly of the month club…or maybe sin?

You’ve trusted Jesus, you believe you’re forgiven… but sin still shows up. In your thoughts. In your habits. In the way you respond when life gets hard. And you wonder:
“If I’m forgiven… why don’t I feel free?”

That’s the exact tension Paul addresses in Romans 6. He says sin isn’t just something we do—it’s something that tries to own us. It’s a master. And we either live under its rule… or we live under grace.

So why does Jesus’ death matter?

Because Sin isn’t just a mistake—it’s a master.
And Jesus didn’t just die to forgive your sin…
He died to free you from its power.

Paul says you used to be slaves to sin. You obeyed it. You built your life around it. But now, you’ve been handed over to something better—to truth, to grace, to life.

“You used to be slaves to sin… but now you’ve been set free and have become slaves of righteousness” (v.17–18)

Here’s the bottom line:
What you obey, owns you.
And what owns you, shapes who you become.

Jesus’ death matters because it broke sin’s control over you. You don’t have to live like you used to. You’ve been given a new Master—one who doesn’t take from you, but gives to you.

Paul says it best:
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v.23)

Sin gives you what you earn.
Jesus gives you what you never could.

That’s why His death still matters—because it didn’t just settle your past. It empowered your future.

So the question isn’t just: “Are you forgiven?”
It’s: “Are you living like you’re free?”

Why does the resurrection change everything?

Every now and then, something happens that changes everything. A moment so significant, you remember where you were when you heard it.
But the greatest headline in human history wasn’t shouted on the evening news—it was whispered outside an empty tomb:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen.” (Luke 24:5–6)

That moment didn’t just change history—it changes you. Right now.

Paul unpacks it in Romans 8. He says the resurrection wasn’t just a one-time event for Jesus—it’s a life-altering reality for us.

Because Jesus rose:

The Spirit that raised Him lives in you (v.11).
That means resurrection power isn’t something you admire—it’s something you carry.
You are no longer obligated to sin (v.12–13).
You don’t owe guilt anything. You don’t owe your past your future. Jesus didn’t just die to forgive you—He rose to free you.
You’ve been adopted by God (v.15).
You don’t have to earn His love or approval. You already have His name. You’re not a slave. You’re family.
You’re an heir with Christ (v.17).
Everything Jesus gained through the cross and resurrection—He now shares with you. Your story doesn’t end in death. It ends in glory.

So, why does the resurrection change everything?

Because it means you’re not stuck.
You’re not the same.
You’re not alone.
And you’re not going back to the grave you were rescued from.

The tomb is empty. So you can live full.

The resurrection isn’t just something to believe.
It’s something to live by.

Are you ready to take a step of faith and trust Jesus to forgive your sin and give you new life? You can do that RIGHT NOW!

It’s simple and it’s not about what you do—it’s about what Jesus has already done.

ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONFESS YOUR SIN

We All Need Saving – Sin separates us from God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
Sin isn’t just a mistake—it’s a barrier between us and God. And the penalty? Death.

BELIEVE JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD AND THAT HE DIED FOR YOU

Jesus Paid the Price – Jesus died in YOUR place.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Jesus took the punishment we deserved. He went to the cross because of our sin—and because of our worth.

You can’t earn it – You just receive it.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
God offers salvation freely. Your past doesn’t disqualify you. His grace is enough.

Jesus didn’t stay dead – He conquered sin and death.

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” – Romans 8:11
The cross paid for our sin, but the resurrection gives us new life.

CONFESS YOUR TRUST IN JESUS AND SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO HIM

Trust in Jesus – surrender your life to Him.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
It’s not about religion. It’s about a relationship.

If you’re ready to accept Jesus and step into new life, pray a prayer, like this, from your heart:

"Jesus, I know I need You. I admit that I’ve sinned and fallen short, but I believe You died for me and rose again. Right now, I ask You to forgive me, make me new, and fill me with Your Spirit. I declare You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. I trust You with my life. Amen."

If you prayed that, you are saved. Not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has already done for you. Now, walk in His grace and resurrection power. You are new.