1 Corinthians 15:3 English Standard Version (ESV) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

The death of Christ was foretold in scriptures. It was not meant to be a secret. It was foretold that we might fully understand the gospel message. If we cannot understand why Jesus had to die, then His death becomes meaningless.

Genesis 22:8a English Standard Version (ESV) Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”

John 1:29 English Standard Version (ESV) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Why did Jesus have to die? A proper understanding of the gospel message requires that we understand why Jesus had to die.

2 Corinthians 5:21 English Standard Version (ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If we study the righteousness of God we will discover that it means a right standing before God. No sin can stand in the presence of God. In order for us to have the presence of God, sin must be dealt with. The atoning death in the Old Testament was a forerunner of the coming sacrifice of Christ to atone for sin. This is why John the Baptist declared that this Jesus who came to be baptized was in fact, the Lamb of God, chosen by God, provided by God, to be our atoning sacrifice.

It is the judicial characteristic of God that needs to be satisfied. Our presence before Him has to be justified. Justification is a book keeping term where we are taken out of the red and placed in the black. Our debt is paid by the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

If we declare we owe God nothing, we will not accept that His death was necessary for our salvation.

Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem men from sin.

This was the opening quote yesterday and identifies the second gospel truth. We were all sold under sin and need to be redeemed.

Romans 7:14 English Standard Version (ESV) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.

Why did God allow this to happen?

Romans 8:20 English Standard Version (ESV) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.

What was God hoping for? If we were to read the rest of Romans 8 we would come to realize that God hoped that we would love Him in return for the love He offers us. Love is not love if it is not free to choose. “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” These words from Romans 8 identifies us as sons and daughters of adoption by faith. Why can I say by faith? Because of His next words.

“Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Hebrews 11:1 English Standard Version (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The gospel message is sown in the bible. The seed of hope is scattered throughout and needs to be gleaned to understand the full context of God’s plan and promise. Understanding the gospel message requires a comprehensive reading of all related passages and not just one liners.

John 3:16-17 English Standard Version

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. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

This is simple but not the whole truth.