GOOD FRIDAY is the day when Christians world over, officially remember the death of Jesus Christ. The Biblical and historical fact is that Jesus Christ lived and died on a Roman cross. His resurrection is equally indisputable both biblically and historically. Yet that is a discussion for another day.

Some skeptics have suggested that many political and religious martyrs have died for their particular causes, inferring that death of Jesus Christ is not more or less important than theirs. Though I understand their rationale, they are sorely mistaken as to the primary importance Jesus death has for all of humanity. In the next several paragraphs I would like to explain in THE WHY OF JESUS DEATH. May God help me.

THE ONLY GOD IS CREATOR, AND HE IS HOLY  The importance of the underlined phrase cannot be understated, in a world where education has been used to call into question the most basic fact of human life; There is one God and He created all things seen and unseen (Genesis 1:1-31). God has placed this knowledge in what can be seen in the created order, as well as it being inherent in our humanity (Genesis 1:26; Romans 1:18-21). As God, He is Holy, set apart and above His creation. God is perfect in every way, possessing all power, knowledge and presence. He is perfect Light and in Him is no darkness or sin, nor can there be. The core of His being He is love; all that He does and is, is for the sake of reaching out freely to bless those He loves. This love is directed most powerfully upon those created in His image (Isaiah 6:3; I Timothy 6:15-16; James 1:17; I John 4:8; Psalm 8:3-6). Jesus had to die because God is Holy.

HIS HOLINESS DEMANDS A PAYMENT FOR SIN I don’t believe that most men, in general, will have an issue with the above truth. Most world religions seek a way to stay right with their version of God, even though their ways are futile. In those religions, when a person has an understanding that they have violated a precept of their version of god, they seek a way to remove the stain of their violation. This is an indication that all men know God and know He is holy. Therefore, man is seeking a way to make up for their sin, to pay for their mistake in order to avoid future punishment. Here we see the Biblical truth “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord” (Romans 6:23). There is only one person who every lived, which can make the claim of never violating God’s standard to be in relation to Himself; you and I aren’t Him. His standard is perfect righteousness. To not walk in perfect righteousness is to sin and be separated from God (Romans 3:23).

This began with Adam and Eve. And let’s get over our incredulity concerning the Garden of Eden and all that we find unbelievable, ever word is true. When they sinned they were separated from God’s presence. Henceforth, the only way they could relate to God was to shed the blood of a lamb. This blood would cover their sin for a season, but not remove it. As a result of their sin, every person born after Adam has been infected with this genetic characteristic… Born spiritually dead, with a bent toward disobeying God. In that bent we can’t help but follow our own way and sin. The necessary payment for that rebellion is blood, for with out the shedding of the blood there is no remission of sin; meaning no receipt the debt has been paid (Romans 3:21-23). Jesus died to pay you humanities sin debt.

THE LAMB OF GOD NEEDED TO BE PERFECT WITHOUT SIN Even now most can track with me, yet what made Jesus special enough for this task? In the first place, Jesus was fully human with one distinct difference; He was not born with Adam’s genetic characteristic. The scripture records that sin and death came into the world and were passed along to all humanity through Adam (Romans 5:12).

What is the implication concerning Jesus Christ? Adam’s inheritance of sin, comes to us through our father’s not our mothers.

What does this have to do with Jesus? He had a flesh and blood mother, but not a flesh and blood father, as He was conceived in Mary’s womb, through a miracle by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-37; 2:1-7).

This is vital to the redemption of man, for it was not God’s intention that lambs blood would ever remove sin (Hebrew 9:13-14; 10:4, 10, 12-14, 18). Yet in God’s holy nature and before the creation of the world, He ordained what those animal sacrifices were to point towards (I Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8); Jesus the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.

Jesus is the only person who could have shed blood sufficient for the sin of the world, being sinless in His human nature. And although He was tempted in all ways like us, He never fell into sin from those temptations (Leviticus 4:32; Hebrews 2:17-1, 15). Jesus died being the only person able to fulfill God’s holy standard of perfect righteousness, never sinning.

THE BLOODY CROSS IS AN IMAX PRESENTATION WE CAN’T MISS a few paragraphs ago, we discussed God’s love for humanity. Jesus came to pay the wage for our sin, because God loves men. We can all agree this makes biblical sense, but the cross was gruesome brutality. What Jesus suffered was beyond any man’s suffering, even though never sinning, He bore the weight of the sin of all humanity upon His body. Therefore, not only did He suffer physically, but also emotionally, spiritually and relationally (Psalm 22:1-18; Isaiah 50:6; 52:14; 53:1-10). Therefore, His suffering was a demonstration, an loud and clear display of God’s love 

Being that Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, His manifestation of God’s love is an all time (past, present and future) and eternal declaration, seen by all. Whether it is loved or hated, it can’t be ignored.

Even from the fall of man, the IMAX film of the cross was being played, as the God proclaimed that Christ would bruise the head of Satan, as the enemy struck at His heal (Genesis 3:15). Before Jesus died it was what the O.T. saint was waiting for (Job 19:25-27). For those at the cross who followed Him and all who will come after it is completion, the cross declares redemption has come. To all of creation it projects loudly in an IMAX fashion God Loves mankind!!!

(Romans 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died to prove God loves men and woman, whether they love Him in return or not.

JESUS DEATH PROVES GOD LOVES HIS ENEMIES UNCONDITIONALLY When reading the above portion of scripture we clearly see, Jesus loves His enemies. All men are enemies of God from birth. It does not matter how good, or religious or God honoring, one thinks they are. We are all born estranged from God, not just disobedient, but enemies. Consider Isaiah 64:6-7, where God declares we are all like an unclean thing, and our “good” works like filthy rags (used menstrual rags is what the Hebrew conveys). Psalm 14:1-3 makes it even clearer, as it declares what God sees when He looks at humanity: all have turned aside, all have become corrupt together, and not one does any good that is sufficient to meet his standard. Jesus died to redeem His enemies making them more than friends.

Jesus death not only proves God’s love, but also displays His mercy, as God is not willing that any perish (in eternal fire), desiring all to come to Him in repentance (II Peter 3:9). This does not mean that the by virtue of His death  every one will be saved. The potential is present, but His desire to redeem His enemies and make them more than friends, must be received. The one in whom Jesus death will be effective, must believe the truth about his death and resurrection, seeing Christ has suffered for their sins. They must act on that faith in repentance, turning away from how they always lived, in order to follow Him. In those who do, we find forgiveness, power to live in Christ’s walk of righteousness, peace with God, and healing for body, soul and spirit (Isaiah 53:5). Yet we also find more than that…

(Romans 8:14-17) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

JESUS DIED BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WOULD NOT STAY DEAD When Jesus died, Satan and many people, were gleeful in their mockery. They believed they were shutting up their adversary, preserving their power, nation and religion. Jesus in turn asked the Father to forgave them (the people). He did not lash out and willing laid down His life, because He knew something they did not. He was not going to stay dead long (Matthew 12:38-45; Mark 14:58; John 2:19). Jesus died for He knew he would rise form the dead after three days. In fact He said “I will lay my life down… I will take it back again” (John 10:18). In this we see not only His perfect human nature but His divine nature as well. What mere man can could make such a claim?

JESUS DIED TO SHUT SATAN UP AND OFF In discussing the why of Jesus death, we have one more to consider.

(Colossians 2:14-15) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

In heaven against every one of us, are a list of charges, and indictment if you will. This list of charges has requirements for payment, written by the hand of God. It was Satan, who would accuse us in our sin, per that record. On the cross that day, every one of those charges and their penalties, were written into the body of the Savior. When He was nailed to the tree, that indictment with it’s penalties was paid in full. Before God, in those who have received His grace by faith and repentance, there is no more record. Satan has nothing left to accuse us for. This removes Satan’s power over us forever. Jesus died to shut Satan up concerning his accusations against us and shut off the power he had over us.

On this Good Friday, let me ask you if you have you decided to follow Jesus? HE alone is worthy and without Him, every Friday or any other day for that matter, would be very bad indeed.