I know this is going to sound really DUMB to most of you, but I'm past caring and really want an answer!:lol:
Why did God choose to have Jesus die for our sins? Was it a physical demonstration to prove that God is real? or what? Was nothing else working, like other miracles? I just don't understand why he chose that specific thing to do to save us from sin. Did it have to be something so dramatic in order to get our attention? I guess this is the biggest piece of the puzzle that I struggle with, as in, did Jesus exist and rise from the dead or was he a man who was so revered that he grew bigger and greater in time.

Disclaimer: I am typing as I think of what to say, so it probably sounds a bit disjointed and blurry. And nothing is meant to sound rude or disrespectful- i'm trying to use the words I can to make my point.
Thanks!

I was told the answer was "because God loves us" was the answer when I asked that in Sunday school.


Here's a good simple explanation, but I can't vouch for each verse or anything.
it's here (http://wcg.org/lit/disc/07whydie.htm)

I do however disagree with them saying that he "choose" to die when they say later on the same page that he died because "it was already written". That kind of thing is might not bug anyone but me though.

does that help?

That's one version of a Bible answer, not using any philosophy or historical stuff from that time period, because I'm not sure of what kind of answer you're looking for.

I'm not sure myself!:lol: But I appreciate all answers! Thanks!!

Because Jesus is simply God wrapped in flesh. The ultimate gift is to give yourself to someone and that's what He did for us. He took all of our sins onto that flesh and when that body (Jesus) was crucified our sins went too. Hope that sorta makes sense.

Good question!

Why did he have to die in the first place? I wonder if there's some universal blood atonement element in every religion???

What if Jesus wasn't crucified and/or died of natural causes? Would someone else have to die for our sins?

I hope I don't sound blasphemous and sorry I hijacked this thread!!!! I just didn't start asking questions until I was in my thirites. I am lightyears behind some of you mamas here!

Just wanted to say I read this and will try to reply later.

The ultimate sacrifice-his one and only son! I do believe that Christ was a real man and died and rose again. I know these are some tough questions-keep seeking and the Holy Spirit will be revealed to you. I will pray for you!

Adding another dimension that has not been mentioned yet. (rather than re-typing what others have said that I agree with too)

Jesus fullfilled the OT law requiring sacrifice for sins. (blood) In the OT, God's people were required to offer sacrifices on a ongoing basis to atone for their sins.

Jesus is called the Lamb of God. (among other names) His sacrifice was a one time thing and there is no longer need for continual sacrifices since He (Jesus) paid the price for the sins of humanity. Imagine a huge chasm separating God who is Holy and Humankind who are sinful. Jesus coming to earth to die for humankinds sins created a bridge between God and Humankind.

I know others will expand this. I don't have time to put in Bible references and such and there are other things to be said.

Not a silly quqestion.

Michelle

First off no question is dumb if you don't know the answer and want to learn. :wink:

"Why did God choose to have Jesus die for our sins? Was it a physical demonstration to prove that God is real? or what? Was nothing else working, like other miracles? I just don't understand why he chose that specific thing to do to save us from sin. Did it have to be something so dramatic in order to get our attention? I guess this is the biggest piece of the puzzle that I struggle with, as in, did Jesus exist and rise from the dead or was he a man who was so revered that he grew bigger and greater in time."

When I read this my thought is that you are wondering why the neccessity of Jesus dying. So that is the way I am going to answer this, if that isn't the underlying issue then you can ignore me...

God is holy. He cannot be in the presence of anything unholy (or sinful). When God created mankind he allowed us to have a free will and the choice of worshiping God (our primary reason for being) or not. When we decided to go our own way (sin) then we broke our relationship with God. He could no longer be in our presence because of our sin.

Therefore God made a way for us to be restored into relationship with him. To do that there had to be a sacrafice made and that sacrafice had to meet the requirements of a holy and just God. The only thing that could reconcile God and mankind was a perfect, holy sacrafice. So Jesus who was/is God became flesh/man to die for us.

The difference between Christianity and other religions that have some type of atonement is that in other religions it is an action of mankind doing something to appease a god. In Christianity the act is of Jesus (who is God) doing something for mankind that we couldn't do for ourselves.

Again I will recommend the book "A Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. It has lots of great info in and addresses the issue of who Jesus is.

First off no question is dumb if you don't know the answer and want to learn. :wink:

"Why did God choose to have Jesus die for our sins? Was it a physical demonstration to prove that God is real? or what? Was nothing else working, like other miracles? I just don't understand why he chose that specific thing to do to save us from sin. Did it have to be something so dramatic in order to get our attention? I guess this is the biggest piece of the puzzle that I struggle with, as in, did Jesus exist and rise from the dead or was he a man who was so revered that he grew bigger and greater in time."

When I read this my thought is that you are wondering why the neccessity of Jesus dying. So that is the way I am going to answer this, if that isn't the underlying issue then you can ignore me...

God is holy. He cannot be in the presence of anything unholy (or sinful). When God created mankind he allowed us to have a free will and the choice of worshiping God (our primary reason for being) or not. When we decided to go our own way (sin) then we broke our relationship with God. He could no longer be in our presence because of our sin.

Therefore God made a way for us to be restored into relationship with him. To do that there had to be a sacrafice made and that sacrafice had to meet the requirements of a holy and just God. The only thing that could reconcile God and mankind was a perfect, holy sacrafice. So Jesus who was/is God became flesh/man to die for us.

The difference between Christianity and other religions that have some type of atonement is that in other religions it is an action of mankind doing something to appease a god. In Christianity the act is of Jesus (who is God) doing something for mankind that we couldn't do for ourselves.

Again I will recommend the book "A Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. It has lots of great info in and addresses the issue of who Jesus is.

Yes, you understood my question:)
Thank you for your answer and I have to get that book!

Stephanie and I went to church. It's one we have been to before- non denominational Christian church. Well, I felt so comfortable there. It was amazing. stephanie went into the 3-5 year old room for playtime and snack. We talked about why I was going to church- God and Jesus. well, she is fascinated with the whole idea! Now at night she begs me to read a book I had bought for Ava in 02 about God. She wants to pray with me! She has rejuvinated *my* enthusiasm for church and religion.
My friend who threw the party I mentioned in Sisters attends that church- and her older dd is encouraging Ava to go with her! Now Ava wants to go this coming Sunday! (She had been like Stephanie before but decided she didn't believe recently) How exciting!
Today Stephanie said, "How come people never talk about my friends?" So I asked which friends. She replied, "God and Jesus." Then she asked if God's last name is Noonan (ours):)
Can you tell I'm tired? I just wanted to type this out tonight to thank all of you for answering my many questions! I'm sure I'll have more, but you are all so generous with your information! Boy, I'm excited about this!

Here's a short and simple answer:

Jesus suffered and died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to. He paid the price for all humanity, those who had lived before and those would come after, so that we would be able to live with Him again after we die.

His mission was to fulfill the Law of Moses - which was a law of sacrifice for redemption from sin. Someone above said it too - Jesus is the Lamb of God - the firstborn of the Father in the flesh, perfect, unspotted, so He alone could stand in the stead of animal sacrifice.

Nobody but Jesus could have done it, because he was the "only begotten of the Father", ie. half-God and half-human. Nobody else could "kill" him either, because he is God, and has power over life and death, so only He could choose whether or not he would die.

The other thing is that, unlike mortals, he had the power to take up his body again, and be resurrected. He was the first person to be restored to his physical frame, and opened the way for all of us.

HTH!

Here's a short and simple answer:

Jesus suffered and died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to. He paid the price for all humanity, those who had lived before and those would come after, so that we would be able to live with Him again after we die.

His mission was to fulfill the Law of Moses - which was a law of sacrifice for redemption from sin. Someone above said it too - Jesus is the Lamb of God - the firstborn of the Father in the flesh, perfect, unspotted, so He alone could stand in the stead of animal sacrifice.

Nobody but Jesus could have done it, because he was the "only begotten of the Father", ie. half-God and half-human. Nobody else could "kill" him either, because he is God, and has power over life and death, so only He could choose whether or not he would die.

The other thing is that, unlike mortals, he had the power to take up his body again, and be resurrected. He was the first person to be restored to his physical frame, and opened the way for all of us.

HTH!

Not being snarky at all, just asking an honest question . . . is this considered different than other people raised in the bible because they needed someone else to raise them and he had the power inside him already to do so (to choose to come back)?

Not snarky at all! :D

Yeah, I think that's the difference. He was the only person who could give life. If other people were to bring people back from the dead (and I don't know of any times that that happened off the top of my head, just speaking theoretically) it would have been through the power of Jesus.