I want to talk to you about one of the most important questions you’ll ever consider: Why did Jesus die on the cross?
At this time of year, the whole world reflects on the resurrection. Maybe you’ve even watched The Passion of the Christ, a movie that stirred a lot of controversy about Jesus’ death. Some wonder, was His death just a tragic accident? Was it the consequence of His teachings? Or was it part of God’s divine plan from the very beginning?
I want you to know, without any doubt, that the gospel clearly tells us why Jesus died. And there’s a beautiful reason often overlooked.
First and foremost, Jesus died to atone for our sins.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” That was the heart of the gospel Paul preached—and it’s still the heart of the gospel today. Jesus didn’t die by accident. His death was planned to make it possible for your sins and my sins to be forgiven.
Isaiah prophesied it: “He was wounded for our transgressions.” John the Baptist declared it when he saw Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Peter reminds us that we are redeemed, not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ. I want you to realize—Jesus’ suffering was necessary. His death was the price for your salvation.
But let me tell you something else that’s just as important—something you cannot afford to miss.
Jesus didn’t just die to forgive you of sin; He died so you might die to sin yourself.
Peter wrote that Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness.”
I need to ask you: Have you died to sin?
When you were baptized into Christ, you died with Him. Paul says in Romans 6, “We were buried with Him through baptism into death.” And if you died with Him, you must no longer live for sin, but live in righteousness. Baptism is not just getting wet. It’s a death, a burial, and a resurrection to a brand-new life.
If you have not truly died to sin, then Jesus’ death, for you personally, is in vain. I plead with you: examine yourself.
Have you been crucified with Christ? Has the “old man” of sin been put to death? Or are you still letting sin reign in your body?
Paul warned in Romans 6, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body.” You need to present yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness. How do you do that? By obeying His Word, by abstaining from the fleshly lusts that war against your soul, by killing the deeds of the flesh through the Spirit.
Listen, dying to sin is not a one-time decision. It’s a lifelong commitment.
Paul himself said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” Peter begged Christians to abstain from fleshly lusts. And we are commanded to put on the new man, renewed in the image of Christ, and to grow in the knowledge of Him daily.
Let me ask you again: How serious are you?
If you aren’t diligently putting off sin and putting on Christ, then the cross of Christ hasn’t yet fulfilled its purpose in your life.
When you think about Jesus’ death, don’t just think about forgiveness—think about transformation. Jesus’ death on the cross was meant to redeem you and change you. Paul told Titus that God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
So, are you truly in Christ?
If you are not, you need to hear the gospel, believe it, confess your sins, openly confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of your sins. Jesus will add you to His church—the one church. And then you must live faithfully until the day you die.
If you are already a Christian but have stumbled, don’t lose hope. You can go to God right now and ask for forgiveness. He is merciful. He is waiting.
