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Honest questions
Why did Jesus have to die?
The short answer
Christians believe our sin created a separation from God we could not fix ourselves. On the cross Jesus willingly took that separation upon Himself, so we could be forgiven and brought home. It was not a tragedy forced on Him but a love He freely chose: 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'
Why would God's own Son have to die? Christians believe that our sin, the ways we have all turned from God, created a separation we could not fix ourselves. On the cross, Jesus willingly took that separation upon Himself, so that we could be forgiven and brought home.
It was not a tragedy that overtook Him against His will, but a love He deliberately chose. 'While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 · King James Version (public domain)
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