Why Was Jesus Crucified?

The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of both God’s love and His justice. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) He went on to explain that ^“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:25) In other words, God loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin.

Our sins required a penalty—that’s what justice demands. Instead of each of us having to be cut off eternally from God because of our sin, God loves us so much that he provided a way for us to enter into a forever relationship with Him. That way comes through faith in what Jesus did for you and me on the cross.

Pilate didn’t kill Jesus, nor did the Jews who demanded his execution for what they viewed as heresy. No, Jesus voluntarily allowed himself to die a humiliating death on a Roman cross to bear the punishment we deserve. In his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul explained, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).

In His justice, God did not overlook sin but dealt with it decisively through the sacrifice of Jesus. John, one of Jesus’s closest disciples, explained this dual aspect of the crucifixion this way: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

By His death and subsequent resurrection, Jesus conquered the powers of darkness and secured the ultimate victory for His people. Paul, this time writing to the church in Colossae, declared: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15) This victory assures believers that sin and death no longer have the final say in their lives.

If you would like the assurance of God’s pardon for your sins, take a few minutes and read our post, How Can I Become A Christian?

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.