Many people have heard of Jesus and have even heard of the way he died and rose again on the third day, yet it's not always understood why. 

 

If you have been told “Jesus loves you,” you might find the following surprising: that statement, while true, is not the gospel. If the message of the gospel had to be summed up in a few words, it would be closer to this: “He died so that you may live.” But that raises important questions. Who is He? Why did He have to die? And how do we get to live? 

 

Who Is He? 

Jesus was not simply a good teacher or a prophet. He certainly taught and foretold events, but that was not the extent of who He is.

In John 1, we read that the Word was with God in the beginning and that everything that was made was made through Him. This Word, who was with God, is also God. If you have never heard this before, read it for yourself (John 1:1–3). The Word—described as the agent of creation—became flesh and lived among us. This Word who is God, who created all things, who became human, is Jesus.

Jesus is both truly God and truly human. God the Creator became a man, experienced humanity firsthand, and yet never failed to be upright in any sense. He remained perfect, without sin or deceit. Jesus is God, the Son of God. 

 

Why Did He Have to Die? 

Jesus was nailed to a cross, but His death was not a surprise to Him. From the beginning, Jesus knew that He was going to be betrayed and how He would die He was going to die. The question is: Why would He willingly “lay His life down”? (John 10:17–18). The Old Testament (the Tanakh) warned that a man who hangs on a tree is cursed by God. The cross—made of the wood of a tree—is often referred to as a “tree” in the New Testament. So why, knowing it was a curse, especially since “He did no wrong” (Luke 23:41; 1 Peter 2:22), would He bring Himself to that place.  The answer is not found in the consequence for Him but in the outcome for us.

What is remarkable about Jesus committing no wrong is that you and I have never met a person who has not done wrong. Take a minute to think of the best people you know and somewhere you will find a flaw. They have failed to meet the Law of God. Because God created us, He set a standard based on His own goodness. That standard reveals His authority and how good He is and His holiness.

God is love, but He must also judge rightly. We have all broken God’s standard and have been found guilty. Scripture calls this failure sin, and sin has had a devastating impact on our lives, the world, and history.

If God had no plan, every person who has ever sinned would be cursed to eternal punishment by the eternal God. But God’s definite plan was that the sinless Son of God, Jesus, would lay down His life, take the curse, and become sin for us on that tree—the cross of Calvary.

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2 Corinthians 5:21
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, but He also had to live a human life without sin so that He could take our sin and give us His righteousness. The cross is where the justice and love of God perfectly meet. Justice for our sins is taken on by Jesus Christ, and the love of God is displayed to the world.

On the third day after Jesus died, He rose from the grave alive. The Creator could not be held by death. He tasted the full measure of the human experience and remained uncorrupted. Surely the One who made all things by speaking would find it a small thing to take His life up again (John 10:17–18).

 

How Do We Get to Live?

One question remains: How do we get to live? How does this apply to us? Does everyone receive this gift?

Most people have heard what is often called the most famous verse in the Bible:

 

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

 

This statement is filled with so much good that it is almost hard to believe. Yet belief is exactly what is required. Faith is the key that opens eternity. Nothing else gets you in—not your good behavior, not your Bible reading, prayers, generosity, or good deeds.

The only way to God is by trusting that Jesus’ life and sacrifice on the cross were sufficient to forgive your sins and to receive God’s mercy and grace. No one enters eternity by earning their way there. We must trust Jesus, our great God and Savior, for our complete salvation.

 

Ephesians 2:8–10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

 

If you have believed this, the Word of God says you have been saved.  Your'e a new creation in Christ Jesus.

 

Praise God! Now live for Him!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Set your eyes on Jesus—not only for your salvation but as the sustainer of your faith. May the Spirit of God lead you.

 

What Now?

Connect with a church that faithfully proclaims this gospel. Reach out to us if you need help finding a church in your area that is committed to God’s Word or if you desire prayer. Let us know if this has blessed you—it encourages us. And if you are in the area, come join us.