Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

This incredibly important question involves a matter central to Christianity, yet effectively answering it is often difficult for Christians. We will take a careful look at the question and lay out the answers offered in Scripture.

The reason Jesus had to die for our sins was so that we could be forgiven and go to be with the Lord.  Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9) and only God can satisfy the Law requirements of a perfect life and perfect sacrifice that cleanses us of our sins.

All people have sinned against God.  But, God is infinitely holy and righteous.  He must punish the sinner, the Law- breaker.  If He didn't, then His law is notLaw for there is no law that is a law without a punishment.  The punishment for breaking the Law is death, separation from God. Therefore, we sinners need a way to escape the righteous judgment of God.  Since we are stained by sin and cannot keep the Law of God, then the only one who could do what we cannot is God Himself.  That is why Jesus is God in flesh.  He is both divine and human.  He was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4) and He fulfilled it perfectly.  Therefore, His sacrifice to God the Father on our behalf is of infinite value and is sufficient to cleanse all people from their sins and undo the offense to God.

1) To Absorb the Wrath of God

Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged u on a tree”

Romans 3:25 – whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

1 John 4:10 – 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.

2) To Please His Heavenly Father

Isaiah 53:10 – Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3) To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

Hebrews 5:8 – Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Hebrews 2:10 – For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

4) To Achieve His Own Resurrection from the Dead

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, (21) equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

5) To Show the Wealth of God’s Love and Grace

Romans 5:7-8 – For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — (8) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

6) To Show His Own Love for Us

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Galatians 2:20 –  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

7) To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

Colossians 2:13 – And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Eight) To Become a Ransom for Many

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

9) For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Matthew 26:28 – for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

10) To Provide the Basis for Our Justification

Romans 5:9 – Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 3:24 – and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:28 – For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

11) To Complete the Obedience That Becomes Our Righteousness

Philippians 2:8 – And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Romans 5:19 – For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

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.

Philippians 3:9 – and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith —

12) To Take Away Our Condemnation

Romans 8:34 – Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

If God is completely in control, why do our lives sometimes not turn out as planned? If God is love, why do we experience so much difficulty? All of us eventually have to answer these questions in some form or another. In my own walk with God, I have discovered a truth, a promise, that really helps me when I’m struggling. It is found throughout Scripture, but a certain section of David’s story prominently displays it.

Forced to leave Israel because of King Saul’s deadly rampage against him, David and his men had been serving a Philistine lord named Achish. Achish loved David and was led to believe that David had fully defected to him, heart and soul. But the princes of the Philistines, for good reason, did not trust David. They had no intention of letting a Hebrew fight with them against Israel. So right before the big battle, David and his men were sent home.

When they arrived at their city of Ziklag, they found it completely ravaged. The Amalekites had attacked while David and his men were away, carrying off their families and their possessions and setting the city on fire.

Consider the situation for a moment. In a short period of time, David and his men were stripped of everything they valued. They were warriors who were not allowed to fight. Their enemies had stolen their families and destroyed their homes. Their heartache is tangible in 1 Samuel 30:4: “David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”

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What does it mean that Jesus is the 'first-born' over Creation?

In a letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul gave an intriguing description of Jesus. In it, he explained Christ's relationship to God the Father and to creation. Some have claimed that Paul’s description of Christ as the first-born of creation means that Jesus was created -- not eternal, not God. Such a doctrine, however, conflicts with the rest of the Bible. Christ could not be both Creator and created; John 1 clearly names Him Creator. Let’s take a careful look at the passage where Jesus is called the first-born.

Colossians 1:15-21

“And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

Jesus himself affirmed his eternal existence, when he said to the Jews: “Before Abraham was born, I am” (Jn. 8:58). The present tense form, ego eimi (“I am”) stands in contrast to the aorist form “was born” (genesthai – to begin to be, to come into existence). The two expressions contrast the eternal and the temporal.

The Jews certainly caught the drift of what Christ was saying, i.e., that he was claiming eternality, therefore, the status of being God. That is why they sought to stone him. The expression “I am” points one back to Exodus 3:14, where Jehovah identifies himself as the “I AM,” i.e., the self-existent One.

Ahadi za Biblia

Mungu hutimiza ahadi zake. Imeandikwa katika 2Wakorintho 1:19-20 "Maana Mwana wa Mungu, Kristo Yesu aliyehubiriwa katikati yenu na sisi yaani mimi na Silwano na Timotheo hakuwa Ndiyo na siyo; bali katika yeye ni Ndiyo. Maana ahadi zote za Mungu zilizopo katika yeye ni Ndiyo; tena katika yeye ni Amin, Mungu apate kutukuzwa kwa sisi."

Mungu hazirudishi ahadi zake au kuzibadilisha. Imeandikwa katika Zaburi 89:34 "Mimi sitalihalifu agano langu, sitalibadili neno lililotoka mdomoni mwangu."

Hakuna mojawapo ya ahadi za Mungu ambazo hazijatimika. Imeandikwa katika Yoshua 23:14 "Angalieni mimi nimekwenda njia ile waendayo watu wote wa ulimwengu...... Mungu wenu katika habari zenu yote yametimia kwenu hapana neno lo lote mlilopungukiwa."

Tumeahidiwa uzima wa milele. Imeandikwa katika 1 Yohana 2:25 "Nahii ndiyo ahadi aliyotuahidia, yaani uzima wa milele."

Mungu aweza kufanya mambo yasiyowekana. Imeandikwa katika Luka 18:27 "Akasema yasiyowezekana kwa wanadamu yawezekana kwa mungu." Tume ahidiwa moyo mpya na maisha mapya Imeandikwa Ezekieli 36:26 "Mimi nitawapa moyo mpya nami nitatia roho mpya ndani yenu nami nitatoa moyo wa jiwe uliomo ndani ya mwili wenu, nami nitawapa moyo wa nyama." Ametuahidi kutusamehe dhambi zetu. Imeandikwa katika 1Yohana 1:9 "Tukiziungama dhambi zetu, yeye ni mwaminifu na wa haki hata atuondolee dhambi zetu, na kutusafisha na udhalimu wote."

Biblia Inasema nini kuhusu uhusiano na Mapepo au Majini

Mungu ametuonya kutokuwa na uhusiano na pepo. Imeandikwa, Mambo ya Walawi 19:31 "Msiwaendee wenye pepo wala wachawi, msiwatafute ili kutiwa unajisi na wao mimi ndimi BWANA Mungu wenu."

Ilikuwa kawaida ya watu wa zamani enzi za Biblia kusali pepo. Mungu aliwaonya wana wa Israeli kuhusu uombaji wa pepo na uchawi. Imeandikwa katika Kumbukumbu la torati 18:9-12 "utakapokwisha ingia katika nchi akupayo BWANA Mungu wako usijifunze kutenda kwa mfano wa machukizo ya mataifa yale asionekane kwako mtu ampitishaye mwanawe au binti yake kati ya moto wala asionekane mtu atazamaye mbao wala mtu atazamaye nyakati mbaya wala mwenye kubashiri wala msihiri wala mtu alogaye kwa kupiga mafundo wala mtu apandishaye pepo wala mchawi wala mtu awaombaye wafu kwa maana mtu atandaye hayo ni chukizo kwa BWANA kisha ni kwa sababu ya hayo BWANA Mungu wako anawafukuza mbele yako."

Biblia yatupa mwanga kuhusu hali ya pepo. Imeandikwa, katika Matendo ya mitume 16:16-18 "Ikawa tulipokuwa tukienda mahali pale pa kusali kijakazi mmoja aliyekuwa na pepo wa uaguzi akatukuta, aliyewapatia bwana zake faida nyingi kwa kuagua akamfuata Paulo na sisi akipiga kelele akisema watu hawa ni watumishi wa Mungu aliye juu wenye kuwahubiria njia ya wokovu akafanya hayo siku nyingi lakini Paulo akasikitika akageuka akamwambia yule pepo nakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu Kristo mtoke huyu akamtoka saa ili ile."

Pepo ni wale malaika waliomwasi Mungu kule mbinguni na kutupwa hapa duniani. Imeandikwa katika Ufunuo 12:7-9 "Kulikuwa na vita Mbinguni Mikaeli na malaika zake wakapigana na yule joka naye akapigana nao pamoja na malaika zake nao hawakushinda, wala mahali pao hapakuonekana tena mbinguni. Yule joka akatupwa yule mkubwa nyoka wa zamani aitwaye Ibilisi na Shetani adanganyaye ulimwengu wote akatupwa hata nchi na malaika zake wakatupwa pamoja naye."

Sheria ya Mungu

Sheria za Mungu ni pamoja na amri kumi. Imeandikwa, Kutoka 20:1-17 "Mungu akanena maneno haya yote akisema.[1] Mimi ni Bwana Mungu wako niliye kutoa katika nchi ya misiri katika nyumba ya utumwa usiwe na miungu mingine ila mimi.[2] Usijifanyie sanamu ya kuchonga wala mfano wa kitu cho chote kilicho juu mbinguni wala kilicho chini duniani wala kilicho majini chini ya dunia usivisujudie wa kuvitumikia kwa kua mimi, Bwana, Mungu wako, ni Mungu wenye wivu nawapatiliza wana maovu ya baba zao hata kizazi cha tatu na cha nne cha wanichukiao, nami nawarehemu maelfu elfu wanipendao na kuzishika amri zangu.[3] Usilitaje bure jina la Bwana Mungu wako, maana Bwana hatamuhesabia kuwa hana hataia mtu alitajaye jina lake bure. [4] Ukumbuke siku ya sabato uitakase siku sita fanya kazi utende mambo yako yote; lakini siku ya sabato ni ni ya Bwana, Mungu wako siku hiyo usifanye kazi yo yote wewe, wala mwana wako, wala binti yako, wala mtumwa wako, wala mjakazi wako, wala mnyama wako wa kufuga, wala mgeni aliye ndani ya malango yako. maana kwa siku sita Bwana Mungu alifanya mbingu na nchi na bahari, na vyote vilivyomo, akastarehe siku ya saba; kwa hiyo Bwana akaibaria siku ya sabatu akaitakasa.[5] Waheshimu baba yako na mama yako; siku zako zipate kuwa nyingi katika nchi upewayo na Bwana, Mungu wako.[6] Usiue.[7] Usizini.[8] Usiibe.[9] Usimshuhudie jirani yako uongo.[10]Usiitamani nyumba ya jirani yako, usimtamani mke wajirani yako, wala mtumwa wake, wala mjalkazi wake, wala ng'ombe wake wala punda wake, wala cho chote alicho nacho jirani yako."

Je! kiini cha sheria ni nini? Imeandikwa, Warumi 13:10 "Pendo halimfanyii jirani neno baya; basi pendo ndilo utimilifu wa sheria."

Sheria za Mungu ni upendo. Imeandikwa, Mathayo 22:37-40 "Akamwambia mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote na kwa roho yako yote na kwa akili zako zote hii ndiyo amri iliyo kuu tena ni ya kwanza na yapili yafanana nayo, nayo ni hii mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako katika amri hizi mbili hutegemea torati yote na manabii."

Kupitia kwa Yesu amri za Mungu zime dhibitishwa. Imeandikwa, Mathayo 5:17-18 "Msidhani ya kuwa nilikuja kuitangua torati au manabii, la, sikuja kutangua bali kutimiliza kwa maana amin nawaambia mpaka mbingu na nchi zitakapoondoka yodi moja wala nukta moja ya torati haitaondoka hata yote yatimie."

FAHAMU UWEZO WA DAMU YA YESU KRISTO

Ukweli ni kwamba katika damu ya Yesu Kristo kunapatikana zaidi ya mambo manne nitakayokushirikisha humu; lakini kwa sasa naona nianze na haya manne:-

1. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kuondoa dhambi. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha 1Yohana 1:9 kuwa; “Tukiziungama dhambi zetu, Yeye ni mwaminifu na wa haki hata ATUONDOLEE dhambi zetu, na kutusafisha na udhalimu wote”.

2. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kupatanisha. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha Waefeso 2:13-16 kuwa; “Lakini sasa, katika Kristo Yesu, ninyi mliokuwa mbali hapo kwanza mmekuwa karibu kwa damu yake Kristo. Kwa maana yeye ndiye amani yetu, aliyetufanya sisi sote tuliokuwa wawili kuwa mmoja; akakibomoa kiambaza cha kati kilichotutenga. Naye akiisha kuuondoa ule uadui kwa mwili wake; ndiyo sheria ya amri zilizo katika maagizo; ili afanye hao wawili kuwa mtu mpya mmoja ndani ya nafsi yake; akafanya amani. AKAWAPATANISHA wote wawili na Mungu katika mwili mmoja, kwa njia ya msalaba, akiisha kuufisha ule uadui kwa huo msalaba”

3. Uzima wa Milele katika Damu ya Yesu Kristo. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha Yohana 6:53-54 kuwa; “Basi Yesu akawaambia Amini, amini, nawaambieni, msipoula mwili wake mwana wa Adamu nakuinywa damu yake, hamna uzima ndani yenu. Aulaye mwili wangu na kuinywa damu yangu anao UZIMA WA MILELE…..”

4. Uwezo wa Damu ya Yesu Kristo katika kutulinda. Imeandikwa katika kitabu cha ufunuo wa Yohana 12:11a kuwa; “Nao wakamshinda (shetani) kwa damu ya mwana-Kondoo….” Mtihani mkubwa sana kwetu sisi wakristo ni kuyaweka katika matendo yale tunayofahamu katika Biblia. Nakushauri kwa Jina la Yesu Kristo kuwa uwe mtendaji wa neno, na usiwe msomaji tu. Ni maombi yangu kwa Bwana ya kuwa Roho wa ufahamu wa Bwana atakuwa juu yako unaposoma na ketenda neno lake.

Imeletwa kwenu na

Max Shimba 

Isaac (Christian) or Ishmael (Islam)

Bible = Genesis 17:18,19 “And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him”.

Koran = 19:54 “Also mention in the Book [the story of] Ishmael: He was [strictly] true to what he promised, and he was a messenger [and] a prophet”.

Bible = Genesis 16:12 “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him”.

The Bible called Ishmael a wild man; the Koran called him messenger and a prophet.

Jews, Christians and Moslems follow the steps of Abraham as a father of faith. Abraham was the first human being who was so much in love of God that he was called “the friend of God” (James 2:23). He had such faith and trust in God that he became the first person with whom God make an everlasting covenant; as it is written, “I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee” (Genesis 17:7).

Sarah also received the blessing and the promise along with her husband; as it is written, “And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her [Isaac]: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her” (Genesis 17:16).

Because Sarah was old and had no children, “Abraham said to God, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael [the son of the slave Hagar] might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (Genesis 17:18,19)

Jews and Christians believe according to the scriptures that the promise was given to Isaac who became the father of the Israelites, father of Moses who received the Torah, father of king David who ruled in righteousness upon God’s people and who also received the promise that from his descendents would come the king who would rule the world for ever and ever (Psalm 89:29) As it is written concerning Jesus Christ, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32).