2. WHY DID JESUS DIE?
“47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death” (John 11:47-53).
Loved ones, in Part 1, we noticed the necessity of Christ's life being taken from the earth. Now we will see why such a tragedy occurred. Under this point we shall discuss those forces that contributed to His death. It was a combination of at least five things.
A. Jesus Died Because Of The Love Of God.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
B. Jesus Died Because Of The Weakness Of Man.
The betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish nation.
C. Jesus Died Because Of The Cowardice Of Pilate.
Even though he could find no fault with the man of Nazareth, Pilate condemned Him to death (cf. Matthew 27:17-26). Popularity meant more to him than principle.
D. Jesus Died Because Of His Own Humility.
The Son of God “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). In Gethsemane He prayed humbly to the Father: "Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
E. Jesus Died Because Of Our Desperate Need Of Salvation.
Certainly the major reason for Calvary was the despicable condition of mankind. "There (was) none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). There was no hope apart from Christ Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:12). He gave His “life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
The Hebrew writer tells us that Christ tasted “death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). A very grateful apostle Paul stated that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15). All of these things brought about the death of our Lord.
3. HOW DID OUR REDEEMER DIE?
A careful Bible answer to this question will certainly add depth to our appreciation of the Savior.
A. He Died Openly.
As Paul said before King Agrippa, "this thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). Jesus was executed during the Jewish feast of Passover. Historians tell us that up to two million Hebrews may have been in or about the city of Jerusalem for such an occasion.
B. The Man Of Galilee Died In A Noble Manner.
Not once did He allow the pettiness of others to divert the will of God. When asked, "Art thou the king of the Jews?" Jesus merely answered, "Thou sayest" (Matthew 27:11). So resplendent was He, even on the cross, that a Roman centurion, and they that were with him, stated: "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54).
C. Jesus Died Vicariously, That Is, On Behalf Of Others.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 we learn that "one died for all." Peter tells us that our perfect Example bore “our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). Jehovah “made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
D. Our Savior Died Painfully.
The Roman scourging received prior to the actual crucifixion was enough to kill some men. The heavy burden of the cross was additional agony. Usually, in the first century when one was nailed to the tree (crucified), he was laid on top of the crude cross while it lay on the ground. Spikes were driven sharply into the proper places of the criminal's hands and feet. Then suddenly in excruciating pain, the cross would be projected between heaven and earth.
These terrible things were experienced by the greatest One who ever walked the sands of time. The throng mocked Him. Blood, from the wreath of thorns, flowed down His face. No wonder the hymn writer has touched our hearts with these words: "See from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and blood flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and pity meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?"
E. Jesus Died Alone.
Peter had denied Him with a fervent speech; most of the other apostles “forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56). A few faithful women were nearby weeping (cf. Luke 23:27-28). Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus would later prepare His body for burial (cf. John 19:38-40). Yet, for One who had done so much for mankind, the scene about the cross was very lonely.
From the Roman tree the Redeemer cried, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). The Father looked away from the Son for a moment. In that glance we have hope of redemption. Praise God for His infinite love and Jesus for His willingness to offer His life that we might never die.
A passage in 2 Corinthians 8:9 beautifully sums up this glorious result: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
4. LESSONS WE LEARN FROM THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
There are at least four great lessons we learn as a result of the cross. Each point is a fundamental one as regards religion in our day. In fact, were these truths understood and embraced by all, there would be no religious division. Notice carefully the results of the Lord's sacrifice at Calvary.
A. In Order To Reconcile The Jew And Gentile, The Law Of Moses Had To Be “Abolished In His Flesh” (Ephesians 2:15-16).
In Matthew 26:28 we read that the New Testament was ushered in through the blood of Christ. In Romans chapter seven we learn that those in the body of Christ are dead to the Ten Commandments; i.e., the law that said, "Thou shalt not covet" (vs. 4-7). Now we can be spiritually joined to Jesus who arose from the dead. The Bible says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (cf. Romans 8:1-3). Paul plainly declares in Galatians 2:21 that Christ died in vain if righteousness comes by the Law.
In three distinct passages in Hebrews, we read that Christ “is the mediator of a better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6), the New Testament. His new covenant could NOT have been instituted until after His death (Hebrews 9:15-17; cf. 12:24).
Therefore, at the cross our Savior took away the old (first) covenant; i.e., the Law of Moses, including the 10 Commandments (cf. Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:13), and made a new covenant with spiritual Israel – Christians (cf. Hebrews 8:8-12). By His blood, penitent obedient believers (Christians) are now living under the last will and New Testament of the Lord (cf. Matthew 26:28).
Comprehension of this scriptural thought will help answer the often asked question about the thief on the cross: “Was the thief forgiven and saved without water baptism?” The thief could have been baptized under John’s “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (cf. Mark 1:4). Even so, the thief lived and died before Jesus shed His blood of the new covenant; therefore, the thief was NOT subject to the water baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). He was only subject to the Old Testament Law of Moses. Jesus also lived, kept without sin, and died under the Law of Moses (cf. Hebrews 4:15).
While alive on earth, Jesus had the power or authority to forgive sins as He chose (cf. Matthew 9:6). The crucified robber above received this blessing (cf. Luke 23:39-43). When Christ died, His law for man was revealed in the New Testament. He commands us to preach God’s NEW will for all people (cf. Mark 16:15-16; cf. Matthews 7:21-23). We live after Jesus died for our sins, was buried and arose from the grave. All people today must obey the Gospel message if they desire salvation (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16; 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Additionally, Jesus brought in a new high priesthood “after the order of Melchisedec...For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:11-12). The Old Law of Moses, given to the Jews only (Deuteronomy 5:1-21), has been changed. The New Testament of Christ is the law now spiritual binding upon all humans (cf. Hebrews 9:15-17; John 14:6).
NOTE: These passages destroys forever all the false denominational teaching that people today are subject to the Law of Moses, along with its “priestly robes,” “instrumental music,” “sabbath keeping,” “incense burning,” etc., etc.
In Matthew 28:19-20, after His resurrection, Jesus commanded His apostles to go “and teach all nations.” Once taught, they were to be baptized in the name (by the authority) of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Then they were to be taught to observe all things whatsoever was commanded by the Lord.
The terms for pardon, sealed in His blood, must NOT be changed (cf. Luke 6:46). According to the words of the Savior all accountable beings must now believe the gospel (Mark 16:15-16), repent of their sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38), and be baptized (immersed) in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38 8:38; cf. 22:16). This arrangement will last till “the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20).
B. We Learn From The Death Of Christ That His Church Was Established.
In Matthew the sixteenth chapter and eighteenth verse, our Lord promised to build His church. Even "the gates of hell" would NOT prevail against this decree. The enemies of Jesus thought that by putting Jesus to death they would forever destroy His influence. But, up from the grave our Redeemer arose. He empowered the apostles to make the church a reality.
On Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, the apostles preached a magnificent sermon based on the triumphant death and resurrection of the Son of God (Acts 2). That day the church was formally established and daily the Lord added the saved to it (Acts 2:41, 47). In Ephesians 1:20-23 we learn that Christ became “the head over all things to the church,” after His resurrection from the dead.
C. The Death And Resurrection Of Christ Also Gives Us Our Hope Of Resurrection.
At the raising of Lazarus from the dead the Master made a statement that thrills our very souls. However, it took His own resurrection to make it possible. Do you remember John 11:25? Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Paul tells us in the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians that Christ is “the firstfruits of those that slept,” since He did arise from the dead (vs. 20, 23).
John reports that when Jesus comes again, "all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth" (John 5:28-29). Brethren in the first century comforted one another with the hope of one day being raised to be with the Saviour (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In the sixth chapter of the grand book of Hebrews we learn that Jesus became our forerunner into heaven by His resurrection (vs. 18-20). Thanks be unto God for such a precious hope (cf. Romans 7:25).
D. We Learn Of The Spiritual Beauty And Significance Of Water Baptism.
A sincere study of the death of Christ will just naturally lead one to the subject of baptism. QUESTIONS: How do we contact the cross? How do we get into Christ and appropriate His blood? At what point are we cleansed by the power of His death?
Look at Romans 6:1-4: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
In this passage we see that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is vividly portrayed when a person becomes dead to sin, is buried with Christ by baptism into death, and subsequently raised up from the dead to walk in a new manner of life. The identical point is referred to in Colossians 2:12.
Thus, Gospel baptism is neither foolish nor arbitrary. It is a necessary command of God for man that conveys the deepest spiritual meaning. The act of water baptism puts a person into Christ (Galatians 3:27) where salvation, forgiveness, eternal life and all other spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3; cf. 2 Timothy 2:10; Colossians 1:14; 1 John 5:11). To argue that one might be saved before and without the ONE Bible baptism (cf. Ephesians 4:5) is to argue for salvation before and without the blood of Jesus Christ.
These are some of the grand lessons we learn as we meditate upon the death of our Lord for our sins. If we appropriate these blessings to our own lives, we shall never really die. To such ones the lake of fire; i.e. the second death (eternal punishment), hath no power (cf. Revelation 20:13-15).
Friend, if you are still bearing the guilt of your sins…if you are still separated from God (NOT reconciled) because of your sins… if you are still refusing God’s terms for pardon… if your sins have NOT been forgiven… THEN, you are wasting the blood of Jesus – the blood that was shed for you and for me.
Purging and pardon, cleansing and clemency can be yours. But these blessings come only through the blood of God’s Dear Son. We are lovingly and humbly urging you to come to Jesus TODAY (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:2; James 4:13-14).
The song writers wrote, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”
Again, “One day when heaven was filled with His praises. One day when sin was as black as could be. Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin. Dwelled among men, my Example is He. Living He loved me, Dying He saved me, Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified, freely forever. One day He’s coming, O Glorious Day."
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good. We love you. Samuel – 14 April 26
