This is probably one of the most important questions a Christian could ask. Why did Christ have to come down to this dark world to save such a people? Jesus gave His life, but did He had to? By understanding the nature of sin and its penalties we would better grasp the redemption plan for all humanity. However the depth of love might not be fully comprehended by fallen humans as we are.
Why did Christ come?
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Mathew 1:21
Answer: To save his people FROM sin.
What is sin?
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law:” 1 John 3:4
Answer: Transgression or breaking of God’s law.
What is the penalty of sin?
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Answer: Death
What is the only way to be made free from this condemnation?
“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22
Answer: by the shedding of blood
Definition of Remission: freedom; pardon: – deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
So without the shedding of blood there can be no freedom or forgiveness of our sins.
What happens if another sacrifice is given?
“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” Genesis 4:3-5
Answer: God does not accept it.
What is in the blood?
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11
Answer: Life
Without the shedding of blood and even further the sacrifice of life there can be no forgiveness. In order that someone could obtain pardon, the life of someone or something is exchanged for their own. That someone would take the penalty that the victim might be made free.
Why does it have to be this way?
“Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.” Daniel 6:15
Even from the earthly Kingdoms there are lessons which illustrates God’s government. That no law which the King puts into place shall be changed.
“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
The main purpose being that “the LORD is a God of judgment:”. He has put a law in place with consequences. And we have violated that law, calling these penalties upon our own selves. And “iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Christ however had a plan in place and he longed to breach that gulf. He loved us though we were sinners but our sins he hate. And from the lineage of Adam all the way down to Christ’s days on this earth, the sacrifice of animals, especially the lamb, were to be a substitute for our sins.
But what was the sacrifice of such an animal a symbol of?
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
There we have it, Jesus being that lamb or sacrifice which will take away the sins of the world. Both mine and yours that is.
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Hebrews 10:1
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” John 5:17-18
The sacrifices and ceremonies made in the olden days could have never make the comers thereunto perfect. For there was no power in a lamb to keep us from falling but the forgiveness of sins. However Christ has come once and for all to put an end to sin in the lives of all those who accepts His sacrifice. In His blood there is power to cut us loose from the chains of sin. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed. “He did it just because He loved you. Christ gave all for you, will you give yours in return?