Why Did Jesus Die On The Cross?
Luke 23:44-46
Four Reasons For The Cross
1. Adam’s Sin
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12)
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)
2. Our Sin
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)
Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude or nature.
“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
3. God’s Holiness
“And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”” (Isaiah 6:3)
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18)
“among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:3)
4. God’s Love
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9–10)
Why the cross?
- God’s holiness Demanded it as the just punishment for our sin
- God’s love Provided it to save us from our sin
How Do I Respond To The Cross of Jesus?
“testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)
- Repentance – A heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.
- Faith – A personal trust in Jesus Christ (his life, death, burial and resurrection) for the forgiveness of sins, eternal life and the guidance and empowerment for daily living.
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Lyrics
Isaac Watts (1707)
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most—I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small: Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.